US orgn presents 'Pride of India' award to Azad

Srinagar, Sept 18: A US-based Muslim organisation has honoured Jammu and Kahmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad with the ''Pride of India'' award for excellence and unparallel contribution in different strata of social life.

The award was presented to Mr Azad at the 16th convention of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) in New York last evening.

The convention was attended by prominent personalities of the US and India, including well-known journalist M J Akbar, bollywood actor-director Sanjay Khan and tennis player Leander Paes who were also presented with the award.

While honouring Mr Azad, a special mention was made about his contribution in political and social life.

The organisers also made a mention of revolutionary and concrete steps taken by him during the past ten months to poise Jammu and Kashmir towards peace and prosperity.

At the function, Mr Azad invited NRIs to visit Jammu and Kashmir and invest in the state.

He said the impression about ''abnormal'' situation in Jammu and Kashmir should be erased and all NRIs need to come forward and invest in education, health, tourism, housing, floriculture and power sectors.

AFMI is a philanthropic organisation founded by American Muslims of Indian Origin in 1989. AFMI strives to improve the socio-economic status of the underprivileged Indian Muslim minorities through education. Since it was founded, AFMI has remained steadfast in its mission to achieve 100 per cent literacy among the Indian Muslims.

UNI