Dubai: Indian expatriate Dr Sundar Menon, chairman and managing director of Sun Group International, was awarded the Padma Shri — one of India’s highest civilian honours — for his social work on Monday in the Indian capital New Delhi.
He was presented the award by Indian president Pranab Mukherjee at a special ceremony.
Dr Menon was selected as a Padma Shri winner in January, when he had said in a statement that “a major goal of Sun Group, which includes a charitable trust, is to use such resources for uplifting the unfortunate and needy. I’ve been very happy in this endeavour and this award has motivated me to focus more strongly in the field of social services”.
Dr Menon is associated with around 40 charity organisations.
He is also the brand ambassador of a scheme that aims to ensure school education for tribal children. He is also chief patron of Vivekananda Medical Mission Trust that runs educational institutions and hospitals for the welfare of tribal people and other marginalised sections of society.
Additionally, he organises mass weddings for girls from a poor financial background.
The Trust has also adopted several tribal villages in the southern Indian state of Kerala for improving the living standards of tribal people. It undertakes several activities including supporting the education of tribal children, facilitating self-employment ventures and building clean toilets.
