Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards conferred by the President

Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 9 January 2014 conferred the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards to thirteen NRIs, PIOs and organisations for their outstanding contribution in the country of their residence as well as to India.

The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was organised in New Delhi from 7 to 9 January 2014. The theme for the year was Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations.

Following people were awarded
• Lisa Maria Singh from Australia she was given for Public service and fostering friendly relations between India and Australia.
• Kurian Varghese from Bahrain was awarded for Business for enhancing India’s image and for Promotion better understanding of India abroad.
• Vasdev Chanchlani from Canada was awarded for Community service and fostering ties between India and Canada and efforts in promotion Indian culture and heritage.
• Ramakrishna Mission from Fiji was awarded for Community service and philanthropic activity and enhancing India’s prestige abroad.
• Satnarainsing Rabin Baldewsingh from Netherlands was awarded for Public service and developing closer ties between India and South Africa.
• Bikas Chandra Sanyal from France was awarded for Education and culture and enhancing India’s image.
• Sasindran Muthuvel from Papua New Guinea was awarded for the field of Public service.
• Shihabudeen Vava Kunju from Saudi Arabia was awarded for the Community service and promoting ties between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Ela Gandhi from South Africa was awarded for Public service, enhancing India’s image and promoting ties between India and South Africa.
• Shamsheer Vayalil Parambath from United Arab was awarded for Health business and in promoting Better understanding of India United Arab Emirates.
• Shailesh Lakhman Vara from United Kingdom has been awarded for Public service and in promoting ties between India and the people of U.K.
• Parthasarathy Chiramel Pillai from USA was awarded for Science and for fostering closer relations between India and USA.
• Renu Khator from USA has been awarded for Education and enhancing India’s prestige   abroad.
 
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9 January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915 and that’s the reason that the day has been chosen to celebrate the day. He has been termed as the greatest Pravasi of India, who led the freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

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