List of Recipients
- Justice Mr. Ahamed Moosa Ebrahim
- H. E. Bharrat Jagdeo
- Prof. Dipak C. Jain
- Shri Fitz Remedios Santana De Souza
- Late Dr. Kalpana Chawla
- Lord Meghnad Desai
- Dr. Mariam Chisti
- Shri P. Mohamed Ali
- Shri Mahendra Pal Chaudhry
- Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany
- Shri Shashi Tharoor
- Shrimati Sukhi Turner
JUSTICE MR. AHAMED MOOSA EBRAHIM
Hon'ble Justice Mr. Ahamed Moosa Ebrahim was born on December 2, 1937
in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. His is a rare case of a person of Indian origin
elevated to the status of Supreme Court Judge in Zimbabwe. Justice Ebrahim
completed his secondary education in England and was admitted as Barrister-at-Law
(Lincoln's Inn, London) in 1962. He was appointed as an Advocate in
Zimbabwe in 1966 and Senior Counsel in 1983. He was also Legal Adviser
to Government of Zimbabwe on Industrial Treaties. He rose to the position
of Judge of Supreme Court in 1990, a position he occupied until his
retirement in 2002.
Justice Ebrahim has been in the fore-front of efforts aimed at promoting
communal harmony in Zimbabwe, acting as a bridge between the Hindu and
Muslim communities in Harare. He is highly respected by both the communities.
He is prominent in the Zimbabwean cricket world and played crucial
role in encouraging black Zimbabwean cricketers when the game was dominated
by the whites. He is presently Vice Chairman of the Zimbabwe Cricket
Union. He is also Member of the International Cricket Council as a Match
Referee, being Zimbabwe's representative on the panel. Justice Ebrahim
has been also active in promotion of art and culture. Currently, he
is Chairman of a Cultural Organisation in Zimbabwe.
Justice Mr. Ahamed Moosa Ebrahim is recognized for his contribution
in the service of Diaspora.
H.E. BHARRAT JAGDEO
His Excellency Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Cooperative Republic
of Guyana has been involved in public affairs for more than two decades.
His political life began at the tender age of 13 when he joined the
Youth Wing of the lndo-Guyanese People's Progressive Party (PPP). Three
years later, he qualified for membership in the PPP. Subsequently, he
was elected to leadership position in the PPP's District and Regional
Committees of Upper East Coast of Guyana
His Excellency Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo has an illustrious career. Trained
in Economics, he acted as the Prime Minister of Guyana on several occasions
and supervised several Government Ministries. Over the years, His Excellency
Jagdeo attained the reputation as a "go-getter" "hands
on Minister", and as someone who is willing to go extra mile to
fight corruption and to ensure clean and honest governance. He won plaudits
for the campaign for debt relief for Guyana and all heavily indebted
countries. He also held a number of posts in local and international
financial bodies including Governor of the International Monetary Fund.
He was sworn in as the President of Guyana in August 1999 and elected
as the President in March 2OOl. He has been instrumental in opening
up the Guyanese economy. He strove for ethnic harmony in Guyanese politics
and society. He has contributed immensely to the cause of Guyana in
bilateral fora, regionally and globally and enhanced the profile of
Guyana.
His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo is recognized by the Pravasi Bhartiya
Samman Awards for his service to Indian Diaspora.
PROF. DIPAK C. JAIN
Prof. Dipak C. Jain is the youngest and the first person of Indian
origin to become the Dean of reputed Kellogg School of Management in
USA.
Born in the family of teachers in the State of Assam, India. Prof.
Jain had a brilliant academic career. After college education in Guwahati
in Statistics, he studied Business Management in Stockholm School of
Economics, Sweden and the University of Texas at Dallas. He has to his
credit many awards and honors, such as - Jawaharlal Nehru Merit Award,
Government of India 1976; Youth Merit Award, Rotary International 1976;
Outstanding Educator Award, State of Assam, India 1982; Kraft Research
Professorship, Northwestern University 1990-91 and 1989-90; John D.C.
Little Best Paper Award 1991; Sidney Levy Award for Excellence in Teaching
1995; Best Professor Award, Koblenz Business School (Germany), 1999-2000;
Outstanding Professor of the Year, Nijenrode University (The Netherlands),
2000 and the Alumni Reunion Outstanding Professor of the Year, Kellogg
School, 2002.
He has served as a Consultant to IBM, Sears, US Robotics, US Cellular,
AT & T, Motorola, Harris Semi Conductor, Eli Lilly, Thomsen Electronics,
Phillips and Hyatt International. He has had more than 30 articles published
in leading academic journals. Mr.Jain has also served as editor and
member of the editorial board to many International Business, Economic
and Marketing journals.
Prof. Jain is recognized for enhancing the image of the Indian Diaspora
through his excellence in Management Studies and Pedagogy.
SHRI FITZ REMEDIOS SANTANA DE SOUZA
Shri Fitz Remedios Santana De Souza was born in Mumbai in 1929 into
a family that originally hailed from Goa. His parents moved to Zanzibar
in 1932 and finally to Kenya, the country of his adoption, in 1942.
Shri Fitz De Souza received his early education in Zanzibar and Kenya
and then went to England to study Law.
Shri Fitz De Souza returned to Kenya in 1952 and worked in close association
with the Kenyan Leader Jomo Kenyatta in the Kenyan independence struggle.
Shri De Souza worked to organize Asians and Africans against the colour
bar then being practiced in the country. In the early 1960s, he participated
in the Lancaster House Conference, held to deliberate and decide constitutional
and electoral framework of independent Kenya. When Kenya became free,
he was not only elected as a Member of Parliament but was made the Deputy
Speaker of the Lower House, a position he held till 1969-70.
Shri De Souza has made significant contribution to the growth of democratic
values and public institutions in Kenya. He made a principled exit from
public life in the 70s and returned to his private law practice refusing
many offers of high positions.
Shri De Souza continues his private law practice today and is regarded
as a political thinker and visionary by a strong section of country's
political elite. Shri De Souza is recognized for his contribution to
the Indian Diaspora in Kenya through community leadership and idealis
LATE DR. KALPANA CHAWLA
Dr. Kalpana Chawla's is a story of a young and brilliant Indian American
astronaut whose life was cut short by a tragic incident. The first Indian-American
astronaut to fly in the US Space Shuffle, this extra-ordinarily brave
woman of Indian origin made the Diaspora proud by her professional achievement
in aerospace engineering.
India and her Diaspora deeply mourned when Dr. Kalpana Chawla along
with her companions in the Space Shuttle Columbia perished during re-entry
of the space vehicle, 16 minutes prior to its scheduled landing on February
1, 2003. Born in Karnal, India, she obtained degrees in Aeronautical
Engineering from Punjab Engineering College in India and University
of Texas and Doctorate from University of Colorado in USA. She was a
Researcher with NASA till 1994 when she was selected as an Astronaut
candidate. She became the first astronaut from the Diaspora when she
was made a member of the crew of Space Shuttle STS-87 Columbia (1997).
Dr. Kalpana Chawla is awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award posthumously
for her significant contribution in expanding the frontiers of knowledge
and in being a source of inspiration to the youth in general and to
the youth of Diaspora in particular. Her life will continue to inspire
generations to strive in pursuit of knowledge and to work with single-minded
devotion towards realizing one's dream.
LORD MEGHNAD DESAI
Meghnad Jagdish Chandra Desai, popularly known as Lord Meghnad Desai,
is a Member of the House of Lords, UK. He was made life peer in 1991.
A graduate from the University of Bombay, he received his Doctorate
from University of Pennsylvania. He was closely associated with London
School of Economics, where he was successively, a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer,
Reader, Professor and Director of the Centre for the Study of Global
Governance. His experience and knowledge of economics and governance
was utilized by the Governments of UK and Algeria and International
Organisations like UNFAO, UNCTAD, World Bank, UNIDO and UNDP. He has
written many books including 'Marxian Economic Theory', 'Applied Economics',
'Testing-Monetarism'.
Lord Meghnad Desai is recognized for his outstanding contribution in
the area of Economics and education which enhanced the image of the
Indian Diaspora.
DR. MARIAM CHISTI
Dr. (Mrs.) Mariam Chisti is a Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Jahra Hospital, Kuwait. She is an eminent doctor, who has raised the
reputation of Indian medical professionals in the eyes of the citizens
of her adapted homeland, medical experts and the government. She has
earned recognition for excellence as a surgeon, medical consultant,
researchers and administrator.
She did her MBBS from Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital, New
Delhi in 1959. She did her M.D. in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the
same college. She became a fellow of International College of Surgeons
in 1983. Her articles have been published widely in various international
journals. She is involved in a wide range of research work and took
active part in scientific activities related to Obstetrics and Gynaecology
in Kuwait.
Dr. Chisti has been awarded certificate of excellent performance in
Obstetrics and Gynaecology and is a member of the various Indian and
International bodies like, Indian Medical Council, British Medical Council
and Kuwait Medical Council. She is also life member of Infertility Society
of America and Middle East Fertility Society.
Dr. (Mrs.) Mariam Chisti is recognized for enhancing the image of Indian
Diaspora in the emirate of Kuwait, through her professional excellence
SHRI P. MOHAMED ALI
Shri P. Mohamed Ali, a long time resident of Oman, is known for his
professional and business achievements, his outstanding contribution
to social, cultural and educational causes and his philanthropic activities.
In January 2002 he received the prestigious Oman Civil Order Award from
His Majesty the Sultan of Oman for his meritorious services in the development
of Oman.
Shri Mohamed Ali is the promoter of the first private engineering college
and the first privately owned medical college and pharmacy college in
Oman. He is the Vice Chairman of Omanisation Joint Committee, established
by the Government of Oman to develop strategies for partnership between
the Government and the private sector.
Shri Mohamed Ali is the recipient of several awards, decorations and
citations for his accomplishments in business, public service and promotion
of education.
Though a resident of Oman, his Flagship enterprise, the Galfar Group
of Companies, has operations in the Middle East, the Far East and India.
In India, he has established a manufacturing concern in Cochin, a construction
company in Bangalore and hotels in Cochin and Trivandrum.
Shri Mohamed Ali is recognized for his service to the Diaspora and
promotion of social, cultural and educational values of India.
SHRI MAHENDRA PAL CHAUDHRY
Shri Mahendra Pal Chaudhry is Member of Parliament in Fiji and the
leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Before coming into active public life,
he worked in the office of the Auditor General of Fiji. In 1975, he
resigned from the job to take up a full time position of General Secretary
of Fiji Public Service Association. He has a long and distinguished
career in trade union movement and is credited with initiating measures
that relate to pay and working conditions in the public service. He
has also been a member of statutory boards like the Fiji National Training
Council.
Shri Chaudhry's is a remarkable political career. He was the founder
member of Fiji Labour Party and was elected to the House of Representatives
in 1987 when he was made the Finance Minister. In 1992 and 1994 he was
elected to the House of Representatives as Member of Ba West Indian
Constituency. Since 1992 he has held charge of the Parliamentary Leader
and the Secretary General of the Fiji Labour Party. In 1999 he rose
to the position of the Prime Minister of Fiji. He was re-elected to
the parliament in 2001 and is awaiting a court ruling on his constitutional
right as leader of the Fiji Labour Party to be included in the government
under power sharing requirement as required by the constitution of Fiji.
Shri Chaudhry is recognized for his service in the cause of the Diaspora
and for promoting Indian values, culture and tradition abroad.
DR. NARINDER SINGH KAPANY
Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany resident in the Silicon Vailley, USA, since
1960 is known for his contribution to Optics technology and philanthropic
endowment and promotion of Indian art.
Born in Moga in Punjab and raised in Dehra Dun, Kapany studied Optics
at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. He taught
at the University of Rochester in New York and later at the lllnois
Institute of Technology. Subsequently he moved to California to start
his own Optics Technology Venture. He has published four books on Opto-electronics.
Dr. Kapany has promoted Indian Art abroad. In May 2000 he had taken
the Arts of the Sikh Kingdom Exhibition from London Victoria Albert
Museum to San Francisco. He is known for the generous gifting of his
own art collections to the Asian Art Museum. His donation to the Museum
to establish an Art Gallery earned him a distinction and accolades.
He instituted the Kundan Kaur Chair of Sikh studies at the University
of California, Santa Barbara.
Dr. Kapany is recognized for his contribution in promoting Indian arts
and Indian studies abroad and for his philanthropic activities.
SHRI SHASHI THAROOR
Shri Shashi Tharoor is a well-known writer, scholar and international
civil servant. Born in London in 1956, Mr. Tharoor had his education
in Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi. He received Doctorate degree from the
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at the young age of 22.
Since 1978, he worked for the United Nations in various capacities
serving with the UN High Commission for Refugees, whose Singapore office
he headed during the boat people crisis. As a Senior Official of the
UN, he was responsible for peace-keeping operations in the former Yugoslavia.
Later on, he was Director of Communications and Special Projects in
the Office of the UN Secretary General. From June 2002, he was the Under
Secretary General for Communications and Public Information of the United
Nations.
Matching his brilliant record as international Civil Servant is his
contribution as a writer on contemporary political and social themes.
Shri Tharoor is the author of numerous articles, short stories and commentaries,
published in Indian and Western publications. He is winner of several
journalism and literary awards, including Commonwealth Writers' prize.
In 1998, the Association of Indians in America and the Network of Indian
Professionals awarded him the Excelsior Award for Excellence in Literature.
He was named by the World Economic forum in Davos as a Global Leader
of Tomorrow.
Shri Shashi Tharoor is recognized for achieving excellence in his chosen
fields and for enhancing the profile and the image of the Indian Diaspora.
SHRIMATI SUKHI TURNER
Shrimati Sukhi Turner formerly known as Sukhinder Kaur Gill is the
Mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand. Shrimati Sukhi Turner's political career
began with her election as Councillor of Dunedin in 1992. Later she
created history by becoming the youngest and the first woman Mayor in
1995 by defeating the incumbent Mayor. She was re-elected in 1998 and
won for the third time in 2001. She represents the Green Party of Aoteaora,
New Zealand. She is one of the few Indians who has risen to such heights
in the politics of New Zealand.
Shrimati Sukhi Turner is considered torchbearer of the politics of
change. She is interested in enhanced democratic processes, the sustainability
of environment and the community participation in decisions at the local
government. She has ushered in what is called an "inclusive and
transparent" style of functioning. Every month she administers
the citizenship oath to fifty odd new immigrants and believes in the
philosophy of "Think Globally, Act Locally and Respond Personally".
She has been conferred last year the honour of 'Distinguished Companion
of the New Zealand Order of Merit'.
Shrimati Turner has always been in the forefront of promoting the interests
of Indian community in New Zealand.
Shrimati Sukhi Turner is recognized for promoting Indian values abroad
and her contribution to Diaspora in its political, social and economic
integration with the community at large in New Zealand.