Canada India Foundation Global Indian of the Year Award presented to Sadhguru at gala
On May 23, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Canada India Foundation’s annual “CIF Global Indian of the Year Award Gala” 2025. It was held at Paramount EventSpace in Woodbridge, Ontario.
That’s me
This year, CIF honoured world-renowned Sadhguru, Indian yogi, mystic, visionary and founder of the Isha Foundation, a volunteer-run organization based in India that aims to bring physical, mental and spiritual well-being for everyone.
Award ceremony
Sadhguru delighted the audience with his humorous and witty insight into human consciousness, health and creating a conscious planet.
Sadhguru speaks on stage
In addition to the award, CIF also donated $50,000 to Sadhguru’s Cauvery Calling initiative, the world’s largest farmer-driven ecological movement. It aims to revitalize Cauvery River in India by supporting 5.2 million farmers to plant 2.42 billion trees through tree-based agriculture.
Dance performance, classical Indian called Kathak
About Canada India Foundation:
Canada India Foundation (CIF), founded in 2007, is a national, not-for-profit, nonpartisan, non-governmental organization established with fostering bilateral relations between Canada and India, as well as other related initiatives.
Every year, CIF awards a prominent Indian from anywhere in the world to recognize excellence and celebrate achievement in the global Indian diaspora. The award is presented to a recipient who has demonstrated global leadership, vision and professional excellence. Past award recipients include: Sudha Murty, founder and chairperson, Murty Trust; former Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper; and Deepak Chopra, author and world-renowned expert in mind-body medicine. (See the full list of recipients here.)
At CIF’s helm is Ritesh Malik, current Chair, and a serial entrepreneur and impact investor.
A heartfelt congratulations to Ritesh Malik, Sunita Vyas, Pawan Chankotra, Satish Thakkar (past-Chairperson) and everyone else involved; and thank you for the opportunity to attend.
Major gala sponsors: ICICI Bank, Turkish Airlines and Scotia Wealth Management.
