Awards for top non-resident Indians announced

World renowned economist Jagdish Bhagwati, Hollywood filmmaker Manoj Night Shyamalan, British-based novelist Vikram Seth are among the 15 personalities selected for this year's Pravasi Bhartiya (Overseas Indian) Samman Awards.

Telecom expert Sam Pitroda and World's number one golfer Vijay Singh will also receive the award, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler said yesterday.

Other personalities include Lord Bhikhu Chhotalal Parekh from the United Kingdom for Political Studies, Amina Cachalia from South Africa for Public Affairs, M. Arunachalam from Hong Kong in the Business Category, Sir Dr J.K. Chande from Tanzania for Public Affairs.

Others include Prof Alokeranjan Dasgupta from Germany for Literature, Ahmad Kathrada from South Africa and Basdeo Panday from Trinidad and Tobago for Public Affairs and Prof Sunil Khilnani from the US for Political Science.

The Ministry also announced that the awards will be given to Sant Singh Virmani from Philippines for Agricultural Science and Yusuffali from UAE in the Business category.

Till so far eight awardees have been confirmed their attendance.

This year's Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (Overseas Indian Day) which will be held at Mumbai, Tytler said, will be a "carefully planned official conference with sectoral and state sessions and business exhibition".

Due to the tsunami tragedy all entertainment events of the Diwas like cultural programmes, entertainment functions and "thanks-giving dinner" have been cancelled.

Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs S. Krishnakumar said that Overseas Indians will play a key role in chalking out "two or three good plans" regarding rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in connection with the tsunami tragedy.

A plenary session "Disaster Management Reconstruction and Rehabilitation: Role of Overseas Indians" has also been organised.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the three-day Pravasi Diwas on January 7. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will confer the Awards at the valedictory session on January 9.

Tytler said there was unprecedented enthusiasm on part of the overseas Indians to participate in the meet. Over 1,900 delegates including 1,400 overseas Indians from 60 countries will take part.

Tytler said a large number of overseas delegates had come out with offers to contribute to the Indian government's efforts to rehabilitate the tsunami victims.

"The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is making all out efforts to use this opportunity to build a global Indian family and strengthen bonds with the diaspora by involving them in rehabilitation and reconstruction work", he said.

These include NGOs, scientists, engineers, geologists, community activists and people working at grass-root level, he said.

Prominent participants include Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary General, United Nations, Amitaba Ghosh, Nasa, Vijay Amritraj, former tennis star and Jules Rattankoemar Ajodhia, Vice-President of Surinam.