IndiaPost.com - Abraham, Cherian get pbd award

India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Two Indian Americans – Dr Thomas Abraham and Dr Joy Cherian — figure among the 12 distinguished Pravasi Bharatiyas who were honored by President Pratibha Patil with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for outstanding contributions to their home countries and to relations with India at the end of the two-day 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here.

Dr Thomas Abraham, presently Chairman of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), organized the first convention of People of Indian Origin in New York, and helped establish a number of NRI/PIO community organizations.

Dr Joy Cherian received the honor for guiding US business missions to India and for public service. He was the first Asian to be appointed to a sub-cabinet position in the US Government. President Patil, addressing the Valedictory session, said the "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas signifies the homecoming of the Indian Diaspora." She applauded the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’s attempt to focus on issues of social development, rural entrepreneurship, women empowerment and urged the Diaspora forum to "transform and implement" the ideas and partnerships that have emerged from the various sessions of the two day conference.

Among other winners of the PBD award are: Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, was cited as a leader with genuine concern for the disadvantaged sections of society and for nurturing and strengthening the bonds between Mauritius and India. Neville Joseph Roach, chairman of TCS-FNS, was honored for effectively advocating the cause of India and PIO in Australia. Dr Ravi Pillai was conferred the award for being one of the largest employers of Indians abroad and for welfare projects in India.

APS Mani was recognized for his pioneering work in community welfare in Japan. Judge Ajit Swaran Singh received the honor for actively facilitating new migrants from India to settle in New Zealand. Rafiudin S. Fazulbhoy was awarded for his work in the field of education in Jeddah for children of Indian origin and service to Haj pilgrims. Bicky Chakraborty was honored for his work in India and Sweden as a philanthropist.

The National Council of Indian Culture (Trinidad and Tobago) has been instrumental in creating awareness of Indian heritage among people of Indian descent. Krishnamurthy Kumar was recognized for his work on Indian diversity and religious harmony in the UAE. Lord Karan Billimoria, Chairman of the Indo-British Partnership, has pitched for closer and deeper business relations between India and the UK.

Emphasizing the fact that "social development is vital for stable growth", the President of India asked overseas Indians to contribute to their motherland in terms of education, healthcare, rural entrepreneurship, infrastructure projects etc. as much more remains to be done in these areas of growth. She said that the Indian Diaspora has become a significant "socio economic, cultural and political force in the world" and they should work on keeping up this image of the Indians abroad.

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi in his address said the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has "gone beyond the narrow boundaries" of investments, business networking and treaded the path of social development with knowledge, philanthropy, culture, women empowerment, rural entrepreneurship engaging the Diaspora over the past couple of days. Ravi also said that his ministry will work for the implementation of the India Development Foundation, establishing of the Global Advisory Council of the PIOs, PIO University as recommended by the Prime Minister of India.