President Donald Ramotar yesterday was presented with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. This honour is endowed on individuals of exceptional merit and is in appreciation of their roles in India’s growth.

A smiling President Donald Ramotar with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

He was honoured for his immense contribution in the field of public service and for fostering ties between India and Guyana.

He was among 15 non-residential Indians (NRIs) who were honoured. The Award is conferred on an NRI, Person of Indian Origin or an organisation or institution established and run by NRIs or Persons of Indian Origin, who has made significant contribution in any one of the following fields: better understanding abroad of India, support to India’s causes and concerns in a tangible way, building closer links between India, the overseas Indian community and their country of residence, social and humanitarian causes in India or abroad, welfare of the local Indian community, and philanthropic and charitable work, eminence in one’s field or outstanding work.

The award ceremony, held in Mahatma Mandir Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, concluded the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention which was attended by approximately 4,000 delegates from different countries.

India’s Vice President, Mohammed Hamid Ansari, decorating President Donald Ramotar with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman medal

The Convention is an initiative to connect India to its vast overseas diaspora, and bring their knowledge, expertise and skills, to a common platform. This flagship event has been coordinated by the Government of India, through the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), since 2003 PBD is celebrated on January 9, every year to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian Community in the development of India. This date was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, who returned to India from South Africa on this day in 1915, and who led India’s freedom struggle, which changed the lives of Indians forever.

These conventions provide a platform to the Overseas Indian Community, allowing them to engage with the government and people of the country, as part of their ancestral history and for mutually beneficial activities.

They are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indians, residing in various parts of the world, enabling them to share their experiences in various fields.

The occasions also provide a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora. --- (GINA)