NRI Sachdeva became the first Indian in African history to have been awarded the highest award by a sitting Liberian president
Mr upjit singh Sachdeva became the first Indian in African history to have been awarded the highest award by a sitting Liberian president since Liberia declared her independence 164 years ago on July 26, 1847.
The award was presented to him by Ms Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, for his outstanding contribution to the cause of the socio-economic development , recovery and reconstruction of Liberia after civil war which ravaged the entire nation.
He has been conferred with , the" Knight Grand Commander" ,Liberia’s highest award during 164 th indepence day celebration in northern city of Voinjama , Lofa County, 400 kilometers from , Liberia’s national capital Monrovia
His efforts in forging friendship, cordiality, peace and love between Liberia and India and enormous contributions to the growth of Liberia’s commercial sector was specially mentioned by Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during this occasion .The Indian Diplomat Sardar Upjit Singh Sachdeva stated that he was grateful to President Johnson-Sirleaf for the ‘singular honor’ bestowed on him by the awarding of the Knight Grand Commander, which is one of Liberia’s prestigious Awards.
He said as Honorary Indian Consul General, the Award has motivated him to further strengthen the cordial bilateral relations between the two nations and he shall forever cherish the Award and wear its insignia with great pride and dignity”
He further stated that since his migration to ‘this Land of Liberty’ and the starting of working career in 1987, Liberia has become his second home and means so much to him that “when I leave this sojourn outside of Liberia, it is my wish that my mortal remains be cremated here as a sign of our strong attachment to this land
Indian envoy to receive Liberia's highest award
Monrovia, July 24, 2011: India's Honorary Consul General to Liberia Upjit Singh Sachdeva will receive the West African nation's highest award, the Knight Grand Commander, from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during its 164th independence day celebrations Tuesday.
Sachdeva, a prominent businessman and humanitarian, was selected for the honour by the president.
He will become the first Indian to receive the award from a Liberian president in recognition of his contributions towards the country's reconstruction programmes. He is also being honoured for his commitment to philanthropic causes as well as contributions to the betterment of India-Liberia relations.
He was appointed honorary consul general by the Indian president in 1998.
Liberia declared independence July 26, 1847. This year's celebration will be held in the northern city of Voinjama in Lofa County, 400 km from Monrovia, the Liberian capital.
"This investiture is therefore a matter of extreme pride and delight for all Indians, both within and outside Liberia," Sachdeva, who is also popularly called Jeety, told the Daily Observer, the country's oldest independent daily.
On Jan 9 this year, Sachdeva was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by Indian President Pratibha Patil.
Along with Sachdeva, Liberian Vice President Joseph N. Boakai and Legislature Speaker Alex Tyler, among others, will be honoured at the special event.
The presidents of Nigeria and Sierra Leone are among the foreign guests expected to attend the celebrations.
The Knight Grand Commander of the Liberian Humane Order of African Redemption was set up on Jan 13, 1879, during the presidency of Anthony W. Gardiner. It is awarded to individuals for their meritorious humanitarian work....IANS/NRIpress.com
