New Delhi : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday announced the names of 27 awardees selected for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2025 for their vital role in shaping the global landscape.
Celebrating the achievements of the Indian diaspora, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is scheduled to take place in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar from January 8–10.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, conferred by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu will be presented during the valedictory session of the momentous event.
The prestigious award recognises the exceptional contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), or organisations run by them, acknowledging their extraordinary achievements both in India and abroad.
The awardees, selected by the esteemed jury-cum-awards committee, represent the finest accomplishments of the Indian diaspora in various fields.
“The committee, chaired by the Vice-President of India, with the External Affairs Minister as Vice-Chair and other distinguished members, carefully reviewed nominations before announcing their unanimous selections,” the MEA stated on Friday.
The awards highlight the significant impact of Indians living abroad and their vital role in shaping the global landscape.
“The 2025 awardees exemplify excellence and dedication across a wide range of sectors, underscoring the strength of India’s global influence and the outstanding contributions of its people worldwide,” the ministry stated.
This year’s awardees include Ajay Rane (Australia) for his community service, Marialena Joan Fernandes (Austria, education), Philomena Ann Mohini Harris (Barbados, medical science), Swami Sanyuktanand (Fiji, community service), Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Guyana, community service), Lekh Raj Juneja (Japan, science and technology), Prem Kumar (Kyrgyz Republic, medical science), Soukthavy Chowdhury (Laos, business), Krishna Savjani (Malawi, business), ‘Tan Sri’ Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam (Malaysia, politics), Sarita Boodhoo (Mauritius, community service), Abhaya Kumar (Moldova, business), Ram Niwas (Myanmar, education), Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana (Romania, business), Hindustani Samaj (Russia, community service), Sudha Rani Gupta (Russia, education), Syed Anwar Khursheed (Saudi Arabia, medical science), Atul Arvind Temurnikar (Singapore, education), Robert Masih Nahar (Spain, community service), Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya (Tanzania, medicine), Christine Carla Kangaloo (Trinidad and Tobago, public affairs), Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer (UAE, business), Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu (Uganda, community service), Usha Kumari Prashar (UK, politics), Sharad Lakhanpal (USA, medicine), Sharmila Ford (USA, community service) and Ravi Kumar S (USA, business, IT and consulting).
The PBD Convention, a flagship event to engage with the Indian diaspora, serves as a platform to celebrate the achievements of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and institutions established by them. The PBSA, integral to this event, underscores the diverse accomplishments of the Indian diaspora across various fields.
Distinguished Recipients of PBSA 2025
The Jury-cum-Awards Committee, chaired by the Vice-President of India with the External Affairs Minister as Vice-Chair and other eminent members, meticulously reviewed the nominations and unanimously selected the awardees. This year’s honorees exemplify excellence in fields ranging from community service and education to science, technology, and politics.
Among the notable recipients is Prof. Ajay Rane from Australia, recognized for his impactful community service, and Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes from Austria, celebrated for her contributions to education. Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris from Barbados has been honored for her work in medical science, while Swami Sanyuktanand from Fiji has also been acknowledged for his tireless community service. Saraswati Vidya Niketan, an institution in Guyana, has received recognition for its efforts in community service.
Other distinguished awardees include Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja from Japan for his contributions to science and technology and Dr. Prem Kumar from the Kyrgyz Republic for his work in medical science. In the field of business, Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury from Laos and Mr. Krishna Savjani from Malawi were honored for their entrepreneurial achievements. Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar from the United Kingdom has been recognized for her influential role in politics, further emphasizing the global reach of Indian excellence.
The awards also recognize organizations like Hindustani Samaj in Russia, which has made significant contributions to community service. Individuals such as Mr. Atul Arvind Temurnikar from Singapore and Dr. Ram Niwas @ Hla Tun from Myanmar have been celebrated for their efforts in education.
Celebrating Global Contributions
This year’s awards highlight not just individual accomplishments but also collective efforts in promoting Indian culture, fostering global goodwill, and driving innovation in diverse fields such as science, technology, and business.
For instance, Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed from Saudi Arabia has been honored for his contributions to medical science, and Mr. Ravi Kumar S. from the United States has been recognized for his impact in IT and consulting.
Upcoming PBD Convention in Bhubaneswar
The 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention promises to be a landmark event, bringing together Indian diaspora members from around the world to exchange ideas, discuss opportunities, and celebrate their shared heritage. The three-day event will feature cultural programs, panel discussions, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering stronger ties between India and its global community.
The valedictory session on January 10, 2025, will serve as the grand finale of the convention. President Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards to the selected recipients, marking a moment of pride for the Indian diaspora. This year’s convention and awards ceremony will undoubtedly strengthen the bond between India and its global diaspora, paving the way for deeper engagement and collaboration.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards continue to serve as a testament to the enduring bond between India and its global diaspora. By recognizing the invaluable contributions of overseas Indians, the awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also inspire others to strive for excellence. As the 18th edition of the PBD Convention approaches, it reaffirms India’s commitment to honoring its diaspora and fostering connections that transcend borders. The 2025 awards are a shining example of how the Indian diaspora continues to make significant impacts across the globe.
