The First Honour went to Mr Ranjith Ramnarain of the Republic of South Africa, who was awarded the Honour in India by Mr Naveenchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, in 2005. The 2nd Honour went to Mr Satnarayan Maharaj, who received the Honour from Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, former Prime Minister of India, in 2006.
The Honour was created by Antar Rashtriya Sahyog Nyas (Trust for International Cooperation) by Mr Baleshwar Agrawal, a self-effacing senior journalist, to honour non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIO) to acknowledge and appreciate their achievements and keep their interest alive in India. He also established Antar Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad (Indian Council for International Co-operation) for this purpose.
Dr Abraham, who is an alumnus of Columbia University, was not happy with the developments in Malaysia, where NRIs and PIO face Government displeasure. He said GOPIO is trying to facilitate a reconciliation there. In 1980, he established the National Federation of Indian American Associations, but he has been serving the Indian American communiaty since 1975.
He said 200 Congressmen are members of NRI and PIO caucuses in USA. But he was disappointed at the progress of Indo-US nuclear deal.
Mr Shekhawat appealed to NRIs and PIO to propagate the Gandhian philosophy in the countries of their residence.
Moving a vote of thanks, Mr J.C. Sharma, former Secretary of Indian Ministry of External Affairs, said the NRIs and PIO should interact like a web - and the rich should come to the aid of underprivileged and the latter support the former for mutual benefit.
0O0
