Canada India Foundation (CIF).

A new not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental political advocacy that states it will unapologetically seek to raise the profile of Indo-Canadians by boosting political and trade relations with India has just emerged from the wings.

The organization, Canada India Foundation, has quietly been working behind the scenes for several months now to put forth Indo-Canadians' point of view to senior political figures.

The fledgling organization emerged from the shadows earlier this month.

"Our three-pronged strategy seeks to raise the profile of Indo-Canadians through political activism and lobbying; foster better political and trade relations between Canada and India, by in particular rectifying the exaggerations about India and putting things in perspective; and focusing on how we can benefit Canada and Canadians-- we are, after all, Canadians," officials said.

Crucially, it will seek to represent all Indians, rather than only a particular state or territory of India; nor does it purport to represent all of South Asia.

As it took its first steps in the sun, the fledgling organization announced its intention of presenting its maiden Global Indian Award to Sam Pitroda, chairman, Indian Knowledge Commission, with the first annual Global Indian Award for pioneering the telecom revolution in India.

Called the CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award, it carries $50,000 in cash and a trophy. The award will be conferred on Pitroda by former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at a gala dinner Friday, April 18. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier David McGuinty are likely to be among about 400 attendees at the event.

CIF co-founder and local Indo-Canadian businessman Vasudev Chanchlani has sponsored the award and pledged $1 million to create a fund for it.

It will be presented annually to "an outstanding Indian who has demonstrated global leadership, vision and personal excellence, which has made all of us of Indian origin extremely proud of our heritage", it said.

Addressing journalists last week, foundation convener Ajit Someshwar said: "The CIF aims to promote interests of Indo-Canadians in political and public life here. We will support secular, qualified Indo-Canadians who want to serve in politics, public life, parliament, and other important Canadian institutions.

"As well, the foundation will lobby for India in Canada, and for Canada in India. We will advocate a better relationship between India and Canada, and work to make Canadians more aware about India's potential."

Since inception last year, the foundation has interacted with top political and business leaders from the two countries, including Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his ministers, Minister for Overseas Indians Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) president Tarun Das, to make them aware of the CIF mission, added Manoj Pandit. "We seek to become a public policy player on Canada-India issues."

Chanchlani, who runs the Sigma Group of companies, said: "Our focus will be to change the minds of top Canadian leaders, ministers and business people about India. We will invite federal ministers to dinners and events to discuss issues impacting Canada-India relations."

The foundation plans to work for free trade and strategic partnership agreements between the two countries, opening of Canadian visa offices in Mumbai and Chennai and restarting Canadian engagement with Gujarat. The group, which currently has 21 members on its rosters, will also seek to work in concert with other Indo-Canadian organizations based in Canada.