SHRI Subhash Bajaj, eldest son of Shri Shivnath Rai Bajaj of Thailand, received the fifth Bharatvanshi Gaurav Samman- 2008 in New Delhi on January 10. The Samman was presented by Smt Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, at a colourful function organised by Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Nyas at Malviya Bhavan.
Presenting the Samman, Smt Sushma Swaraj said the people of Indian origin living in different parts of the world have created new respect for India. They have been able to achieve highest positions in social, economic and political field. They have also maintained their links with the culture and civilisation of India. Appreciating the work done by Shri Baleshwar Agrawal, founder chairman of the Trust, she said the Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad (ARSP) has done commendable work by strengthening the relation with the people of Indian origin living in different parts of the world.
The Samman is conferred every year to a person of Indian origin (PIO) for his valuable contribution to the society. The Samman, which has been instituted by Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Nyas, consists of a cheque of Rs one lakh, a citation and a shawl.
President of the Nyas Shri JC Sharma, former Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs, said the stock of India is rising throughout the world not only in the field of art and culture but also in critical areas like information technology, nuclear energy, medicine and engineering.
Welcoming the guests Shri Baleshwar Agrawal, secretary general of Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad, said the Samman has so far been conferred on to Shri Ranjith Ramnarain of South Africa, Shri Satnarayan Maharaj of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr Thomas Abraham of United States (GOPIO) and Human Service Trust, Mauritius. Shri Mukesh Aggarwal read out the citation which was presented by Shri Vijender Mittal.
Receiving the award on behalf of his father Shri Subhash Bajaj said the award would encourage and motivate all PIOs to excel in every field.
Shri Shashank, former foreign Secretary and president of Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad said it is a historical occasion and it is a tribute to over 30 million PIOs settled all over the world.
The jury that selected Shri Bajaj for the Samman included eminent personalities of Indian Diaspora such as former Prime Minister of Fiji Shri Mahendra Choudhary, former Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago Shri Basudev Pandy, president of the Republic of Mauritius Sir Aneroodh Jugnath and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Denver University USA Dr VP Nanda.
Shri Shivnath Rai Bajaj is a visionary entrepreneur, businessman, a community leader and is the doyen of Indian community in Thailand. Because of his dynamic leadership, foresight and business acumen, Diwanchand Group emerged as a leading company of Thailand. As president of the Indo-Thai Chamber of Commerce for two successive terms he played an important role in developing trade between India and Thailand. He has been the president of Hindu Samaj for several terms. He also played an important role in opening of the Hindu temple in Thailand. As managing trustee of Earthquake Relief Fund in Thailand during the massive earthquake at Kutch in Gujarat he collected over rupees one crore to build five new schools in various areas of Kutch.
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