Dubai: Indian expatriate Dr Sundar Menon, chairman and managing director of Sun Group International, has been awarded the Padma Shri — one of India’s highest civilian honours — for his social work.
Dr Menon, selected among the most influential business leaders in the Gulf region by Forbes magazine, also runs the Sun Charitable Trust.
In a statement, Dr Menon said: “I have always had an understanding that God has gifted most human beings with much more than they need. 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 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.
As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission introduced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Menon has also set up a modern waste incinerator at Thrissur Fish Market, Kerala.
Additionally, he organises mass weddings for girls from poor financial background.
The Sun group also plans to expand its operations to the African continent this year.
The trust has played a major role in bringing back survivors of the 2013 Uttarakhand floods in India.
It has also has adopted several tribal villages in Kerala state for improving the living standards of tribal people. The Trust undertakes several activities including supporting the education of tribal children, facilitating self-employment ventures and building clean toilets in their areas.
Dr Menon is also the chief patron of Pravasi Malayali Federation headquartered in the US. Today, he associates with around 40 charity organisations.
In Thrissur, the organisation is planning to set up a medical treatment centre for elephants and a care centre for old elephants in an area spanning across 30 acres.
Dr Menon was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the European Continental Community University in 2015. He also won the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award in 2015.
