The Government of India has announced the recipients of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) for 2025, recognizing the exceptional achievements of overseas Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) across various fields. The PBSA is the highest honor conferred on individuals or organizations for their outstanding contributions to both India and their respective countries of residence.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards will be presented by the Hon’ble President of India during the 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, set to be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10, 2025. The award ceremony will take place in the Valedictory Session of the PBD celebrations, marking a key moment in India’s ongoing efforts to honor and strengthen its ties with the global Indian diaspora.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award honors individuals or institutions that have made significant contributions in diverse fields such as community service, education, business, medicine, politics, and more. The awardees were selected by a distinguished Jury-cum-Awards Committee, chaired by the Hon’ble Vice-President of India and supported by the Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, along with eminent members from various sectors. The committee considered numerous nominations and recognized individuals and organizations who have made remarkable contributions to their communities, as well as to strengthening India’s global presence.
List of Awardees for PBSA 2025:
The following individuals and institutions have been selected for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025:
- Prof. Ajay Rane (Australia) – Community Service
- Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes (Austria) – Education
- Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris (Barbados) – Medical Science
- Swami Sanyuktanand (Fiji) – Community Service
- Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Guyana) – Community Service
- Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja (Japan) – Science & Technology
- Dr. Prem Kumar (Kyrgyz Republic) – Medical Science
- Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury (Laos) – Business
- Mr. Krishna Savjani (Malawi) – Business
- ‘Tan Sri’ Dr. Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam (Malaysia) – Politics
- Dr. Sarita Boodhoo (Mauritius) – Community Service
- Mr. Abhaya Kumar (Moldova) – Business
- Dr. Ram Niwas @ Hla Tun (Myanmar) – Education
- Mr. Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana (Romania) – Business
- Hindustani Samaj (Russia) – Community Service
- Ms. Sudha Rani Gupta (Russia) – Education
- Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed (Saudi Arabia) – Medical Science
- Mr. Atul Arvind Temurnikar (Singapore) – Education
- Mr. Robert Masih Nahar (Spain) – Community Service
- Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya (Tanzania) – Medicine
- H.E. Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT (Trinidad & Tobago) – Public Affairs
- Mr. Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer (UAE) – Business
- Mr. Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu (Uganda) – Community Service
- Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar (UK) – Politics
- Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal (USA) – Medicine
- Dr. Sharmila Ford (USA) – Community Service
- Mr. Ravi Kumar S. (USA) – Business (IT & Consulting)
These awardees represent a diverse range of sectors, from science and technology to medicine, business, education, and public service. Their outstanding contributions have not only enriched the countries they reside in but have also strengthened the ties between India and the global Indian community.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards: A Symbol of Excellence
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award serves as a symbol of India’s gratitude towards its diaspora for their exceptional achievements and contributions. These awards celebrate the significant role that overseas Indians play in shaping the socio-economic landscape of their host countries while fostering deeper connections with India. As part of the Government of India’s broader efforts to engage with the global Indian community, the PBSA also encourages further collaboration between India and its diaspora across various sectors.
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Bhubaneswar will provide a platform for discussions on the future of India’s relationship with its overseas citizens, with the award ceremony serving as the highlight of the event. It will also offer an opportunity to reaffirm India’s commitment to strengthening the global Indian community through mutual exchange and collaboration.
As the date for the PBD Convention draws closer, India looks forward to celebrating the accomplishments of its diaspora and recognizing their invaluable contributions to the country’s global stature.