May 15, 2004: NRI, Diljit Rana prominent businessman elected Irish business lobby chief

• Northern Ireland companies seek tie-ups in India

(Top) Dr Diljit Rana, Martin Bell and John Dennis at the reception hosted by Peter
Stephenson, First Secretary, Economic and Commercial Development, British High Commission
(Below) Martin Bell, Dr Diljit Rana, Mrs Angeliki Stephenson and Peter Stephenson

New Delhi, October 29
IANS

India-born Diljit Rana, managing director of Andras House in Northern Ireland, is on a new mission to help his ancestral village in Punjab by setting up a school and college there.

With an investment of Rs.50 million, Rana, a resident of Belfast since 1966, is setting up a school and college in Sanghol, 40 km from Chandigarh. Rana was born in the village

"The idea behind starting a college in Sanghol, which is famous for its links with ancient Indian civilisation, is to regenerate the village and provide world-class education to young people in and around the area," Rana told IANS.

A prominent member of the Indian community in Belfast, Rana is one of the leaders of a 15-member trade delegation from Northern Ireland scouting for joint ventures and strategic alliances in India.

Rana has five hotels and franchise for 526 hotel rooms operating as part of global brands like Ramada and Holiday Inn International marketing chains.

He has also been involved with several property development projects like office accommodation and fashion shops.

Rana's company also provides facilities for training in hotel management and hospitality services.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Northern Ireland economy, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Rana the MBE (Member of the British Empire).

Speaking of his pet project, he said: "The college will have a school attached to it and will have classes and facilities right from preparatory school level for five-year-old kids in the village, where I was born.

"To be run by a charitable trust, the university will offer vocational and degree courses."

Expected to be ready in time for the academic session from next July, the Taxila College as it is being named will offer degree courses in tie-up with the Ulster University in Northern Ireland.

"We plan to offer a few vocational courses in link-up with Ulster University like nursing, hotel management and estate development and later expand," he said.

"The school and college will have provisions for day scholars and boarders," he added.