Bhuabneswar: Bhubaneswar is all set to host the 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention from January 8-10, 2025, marking a significant celebration of the achievements of the Indian diaspora across the globe. The convention will witness the conferment of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA), the highest civilian honour for overseas Indians, by the Hon’ble President of India during the valedictory session.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and organizations run by them in various fields such as community service, business, education, politics, medicine, and technology.
This year, 27 individuals and organizations from 21 countries have been selected for the prestigious awards by a Jury-cum-Awards Committee, chaired by the Hon’ble Vice-President of India, with the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister serving as Vice-Chair. The awardees represent exemplary contributions across sectors, showcasing the impact of India’s global diaspora.
List of Awardees for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025
| Sr. No. | Awardee | Country | Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prof. Ajay Rane | Australia | Community Service |
| 2 | Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes | Austria | Education |
| 3 | Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris | Barbados | Medical Science |
| 4 | Swami Sanyuktanand | Fiji | Community Service |
| 5 | Saraswati Vidya Niketan | Guyana | Community Service |
| 6 | Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja | Japan | Science & Technology |
| 7 | Dr. Prem Kumar | Kyrgyz Republic | Medical Science |
| 8 | Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury | Laos | Business |
| 9 | Mr. Krishna Savjani | Malawi | Business |
| 10 | ‘Tan Sri’ Dr. Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam | Malaysia | Politics |
| 11 | Dr. Sarita Boodhoo | Mauritius | Community Service |
| 12 | Mr. Abhaya Kumar | Moldova | Business |
| 13 | Dr. Ram Niwas @ Hla Tun | Myanmar | Education |
| 14 | Mr. Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana | Romania | Business |
| 15 | Hindustani Samaj | Russia | Community Service |
| 16 | Ms. Sudha Rani Gupta | Russia | Education |
| 17 | Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed | Saudi Arabia | Medical Science |
| 18 | Mr. Atul Arvind Temurnikar | Singapore | Education |
| 19 | Mr. Robert Masih Nahar | Spain | Community Service |
| 20 | Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya | Tanzania | Medicine |
| 21 | H.E. Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT | Trinidad & Tobago | Public Affairs |
| 22 | Mr. Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer | UAE | Business |
| 23 | Mr. Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu | Uganda | Community Service |
| 24 | Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar | UK | Politics |
| 25 | Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal | USA | Medicine |
| 26 | Dr. Sharmila Ford | USA | Community Service |
| 27 | Mr. Ravi Kumar S. | USA | Business (IT & Consulting) |
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees of 2025 have made remarkable contributions toward India’s growth and image globally. The event will not only recognize their efforts but also reinforce the strong ties between India and its diaspora communities.
Bhubaneswar, with its rich cultural heritage, has prepared to give a grand welcome to the distinguished delegates attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. The event will serve as a platform to strengthen partnerships between India and its overseas communities, fostering mutual growth and development.
