Ramgoolam, 11 others honoured with Pravasi Divas Awards

New Delhi, Jan 9 (UNI) President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today presented Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2008 to Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and 11 others for enhancing India's image abroad.

The others who received the award, which carries a gold medallion and a citation, at the concluding ceremony of the 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas were Mr Naville Joseph Roach (Australia), Dr Ravi Pillai (Bahrain), Mr APS Mani (Japan), Judge Ajit Swaran Singh (New Zealand), Mr Rafiuddin S Fazulbhouy (Saudi Arabia), Mr Bicky Chakraborty (Sweden), National Council of Indian Culture (Trinidad and Tobago), Mr Krishnamurthy Kumar (UAE), Lord Karan Billimoria (Britain), Dr Thomas Abraham (US) and Dr Joy Cherian (US).

In her valedictory address, the President said people of Indian origin were welcome to contribute to the development of India, either staying in their respective adopted countries or by returning home.

Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said his ministry planned to organise a mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in various countries involving the local Indian community.

He assured the delegates that his Ministry would expeditiously implement all the announcements made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, including the setting up of a facilitation centre for hopeful migrants.

UNI SN PB HS1935