INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - JANUARY 1^st - JANUARY 15^th - 2008

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR PROACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF NRIS IN DEVELOPMENT

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, called upon the overseas Indian community to proactively engage in the growth of the country. Urging the community to come up with innovative ideas that can help build a critical mass of development, she observed that the overseas Indian community is impressive in terms of its size, spread and growing influence, estimated at about 25 million in 130 countries and has emerged as a significant economic social and cultural force in the world today. Speaking at the valedictory session of the 6th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here today, Smt. Devisingh Patil urged the overseas Indians to explore ways in which they can be partners in the growth of the country.

On the occasion, the President conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards to fifteen outstanding Pravasi Bharatiyas for stellar achievements in different fields. Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius was awarded for his leadership with genuine concern for the underprivileged and disadvantaged sections of the community. As a popular leader, he has also endeavoured to nurture and strengthen the bonds between Mauritius and India in all dimensions and has provided exemplary leadership to the Indian Diaspora. Dr. Ravi Pillai was awarded for his outstanding services in the area of employment generation. He has provided gainful employment to over 25,000 NRIs in his business establishments in the Gulf. Mr. A. P. S. Mani was awarded for running an effective forum for networking and also cultural and professional interaction amongst members of the Indian community in Japan. He is also recognized for his pioneering work on community welfare in Japan. Judge Ajit Swarn Singh of New Zealand was recognized for his yeomen services in inspiring the younger generation to strive and scale higher levels of excellence in their professions. While Mr. Rafiudin S. Fazulbhoy was awarded for his signification work in the field of education of children of Indian origin and the services to Haj pilgrims, Mr. Bicky Chakraborty of Sweden made the mark for his sterling contribution in education and health sectors.

The National Council of Indian Culture based in Trinidad & Tobago was recognized for creating awareness in the present generation of people of Indian origin of their heritage and the cultural values. Mr. Krishnamurthy Kumar was awarded for his work towards expanding Indias interests and extending understanding on issues pertaining to Indian diversity and religious harmony in the UAE. Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chairman of the Indo-British Partnership, has bagged the Samman for aggressively pitching closer and deeper business relations between the U.K. and India. While Dr. Thomas Abraham won the acclaimed for his immense contribution to the NRI movement in the USA in the last three decades and for organizing the first convention of people of Indian origin in New York in 1989, Dr. Joy Cherian of the US has been awarded for his profound services for the Indian community in the US. He has also guided a number of exploratory business missions to India for several major North American insurance companies.