State Dept Recognizes Nikhil Dey As Anti-Corruption Champ

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – Indian social activist Nikhil Dey has been named an International Anti-Corruption Champion by the US State Department.
The US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs said it recognizes Dey as an Anti-Corruption Champion for his important role in social movements aimed at transparency and accountability, public audits, and participatory democracy to counter corruption in government welfare programs in India.
The co-founder of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), Dey’s work led to transparency and anti-corruption reforms in India, helping Rajasthan pioneer public policies to increase transparency and accountability.
The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan is a people’s Organisation that works with workers and peasants in the villages of Central Rajasthan. It was set up by the people of the area in 1990 to strengthen participatory democratic processes so that ordinary citizens could live their lives with dignity and justice. The organization was born out of a struggle for community land held illegally by a landlord.
The International Anti-Corruption Champion Awards (ACCA) recognize people who work to promote accountability and transparency.
State Secretary Antony Blinken on December 7 said the State Department is committed to countering corruption and promoting integrity as a foreign policy priority and core national security interest.
“On the eve of International Anti-Corruption Day, December 9, the United States is proud to honor the individuals and institutions championing transparency, accountability, integrity, and good governance worldwide,” Blinken said while honoring Global Anti-Corruption Champions.
As many as 11 International Anti-Corruption Champions for 2023 were recognized.
 The honorees are Stanislau Ivashkevich of Belarus, Jean-Claude Mputu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Arturo Torres of Ecuador, Nikhil Dey of India, Ali (Mukhammedali) Toktakunov of Kyrgyz Republic, Marc N. Kollie of Liberia, Veronica Mihailov-Moraru of Moldova, Vladimir Novovic of Montenegro, Annette Planells of Panama, Francisco Belo Simoes da Costa of Timor-Leste, and May De Silva of Seychelles.