An Indian social activist, Anjali Bhardwaj, who is working on issues of transparency and accountability, has been announced an anti-corruption champion along with 12 others by the Joe Biden-led US administration. Bhardwaj has served as an active member of the Right to Information Movement in India for over two decades, as per the Biden administration.

The honour by the US is a “recognition of the collective effort of people and groups across the country who hold power to account,” the 48-year-old activist said in a tweet. 

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “The Biden administration recognises that we will only be successful in combating these issues by working in concert with committed partners, including courageous individuals who champion anti-corruption efforts and countries working to fulfil their commitments to international anti-corruption standard.”

Blinken, for that reason, announced a “new International Anti-Corruption Champions Award” that will recognise individuals, who have “tirelessly, often in the face of adversity, to defend transparency, combat corruption, and ensure accountability in their own countries,” he said. 

Bhardwaj has also founded the Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS), a citizens’ group with a mandate to promote transparency and accountability in government and encourage active participation of citizens.

Meanwhile, the 48-year-old is also a convener of the National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information, which successfully advocated for the creation of an anti-corruption ombudsman and the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Act, offering protection to those who expose corruption and abuse of power.

The other recipients of the award are: Ardian Dvorani of Albania, Diana Salazar of Ecuador, Sophia Pretrick of Micronesia, Juan Francisco Sandoval Alfaro of Guatemala, Ibrahima Kalil Gueye of Guinea, Dhuha A Mohammed of Iraq, Bolot Temirov of Kyrgyz Republic, Mustafa Abdullah Sanalla of Libya, Victor Sotto of The Philippines, Francis Ben Kaifala of Sierra Leone, and Ruslan Ryaboshapka of Ukraine.

Blinken said that the 12 honourees inspire them and other counterparts around the world who are pursuing these ideals.