Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is a prestigious award presented by the President of India to recognize outstanding contributions of Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Person of Indian Origin (PIOs) in various fields, including Business, Science, Technology, Art, Literature, and Philanthropy. The award is considered one of the highest honors given to NRIs and PIOs, and it is presented annually on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (NRI Day), which is celebrated on January 9. The award is a testament to the significant contributions made by the Indian diaspora in various fields, and it is presented in the presence of dignitaries such as the Prime Minister of India, Ministry of External Affairs (India), and other prominent leaders, including Narendra Modi, Sushma Swaraj, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

● Introduction

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is a symbol of recognition and appreciation for the outstanding achievements of NRIs and PIOs, who have made significant contributions to their adopted countries and to India. The award is presented in various categories, including Business and Industry, Science and Technology, Art and Culture, Literature and Education, and Social Service, and it is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and contributions in their respective fields, such as Ratan Tata, Lakshmi Mittal, Arun Netravali, and Salman Rushdie. The award is also given to individuals who have worked tirelessly to promote India's interests and culture abroad, such as Diaspora leaders like Lord Swraj Paul, Gulam Noon, and Jagdish Bhagwati. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is a prestigious honor that is recognized globally, and it is presented in the presence of dignitaries from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.

● History

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award was instituted in 2003 by the Government of India to recognize the contributions of NRIs and PIOs, and it was first presented on January 9, 2003, by the then-President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. The award was established to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, and it is presented annually on this day to honor the contributions of NRIs and PIOs, who have made significant contributions to their adopted countries and to India, such as S. R. Nathan, Kamal Nath, and Shashi Tharoor. The award has been presented to over 100 individuals since its inception, including prominent NRIs and PIOs such as Ravi Shankar, M. F. Husain, and Amitav Ghosh, who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, including Music, Art, and Literature.

● Eligibility_and_Selection

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is open to all NRIs and PIOs who have made significant contributions to their adopted countries and to India, and the selection process is rigorous and transparent, involving a committee of eminent individuals, including Bharat Ratna awardees, Padma Vibhushan awardees, and other distinguished personalities, such as Amartya Sen, C. N. R. Rao, and Sachin Tendulkar. The selection committee considers nominations from various sources, including the Ministry of External Affairs (India), Indian embassies and high commissions abroad, and other organizations, such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry. The committee evaluates the nominations based on the individual's achievements and contributions, and the award is presented to those who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and contributions in their respective fields, such as Business, Science, Technology, Art, Literature, and Philanthropy, including individuals like Azim Premji, Nandan Nilekani, and Narayana Murthy.

● Notable_Recipients

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award has been presented to many notable NRIs and PIOs, including Ratan Tata, Lakshmi Mittal, Arun Netravali, and Salman Rushdie, who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, including Business, Science, Technology, Art, and Literature. Other notable recipients include Lord Swraj Paul, Gulam Noon, and Jagdish Bhagwati, who have worked tirelessly to promote India's interests and culture abroad, and individuals like S. R. Nathan, Kamal Nath, and Shashi Tharoor, who have made significant contributions to Politics, Diplomacy, and Public Service. The award has also been presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to Social Service, including Ela Bhatt, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Rajendra Singh, who have worked to promote Social Justice, Environmental Conservation, and Community Development.

● Ceremony_and_Awards

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is presented annually on January 9 at a ceremony held in India, which is attended by dignitaries from around the world, including the President of India, Prime Minister of India, and other prominent leaders, such as Narendra Modi, Sushma Swaraj, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The ceremony is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (India), in partnership with other organizations, such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry. The award consists of a Sanad (certificate) and a medal, and it is presented to the recipients in the presence of their families, friends, and other dignitaries, including Diaspora leaders like Lord Swraj Paul, Gulam Noon, and Jagdish Bhagwati. The ceremony is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of NRIs and PIOs, and it is an opportunity for them to connect with their roots and to promote India's interests and culture abroad, in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.