President Donald Ramotar yesterday received the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from India at the close of the 13th Annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.
The president was honoured for his contribution in the field of public service and for fostering ties between India and Guyana, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. He is currently on a six-day visit to Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India to attend the function.
According to GINA, Ramotar was one of 15 Non-Residential Indians (NRIs) who was 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 was held in Mahatma Mandir Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India at the close of the three-day forum which was attended by approximately 4,000 delegates from different countries. The objective of the convention is to connect India to its vast overseas diaspora, bringing their knowledge, expertise and skills to a common platform and creating networks and other linkages between them and the Indian government for mutually beneficial activities. This event has been coordinated by the Government of India through the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs since 2003.
The convention is celebrated annually on January 9 in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, who returned to India from South Africa on that day in 1915, and who led India’s struggle for independence.
