After inaugurating the much-vaunted UP Prawasi Diwas (UPPD) with a crisp meaningful speech at Agra on Monday, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also felicitated the NRIs with ‘UP Apravasi Ratna Awards’.
The first to be felicitated was Alka Bhatnagar, a native of Meerut now based in the USA, who has gained eminence as an accomplished singer and performed around the globe.
The next in line was Ashok Ramsaran now based in the USA who had stints in teaching and government service in Guyana. He has been instrumental in connecting the Indian diaspora across the world through a prestigious organisation–Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).
In addition to his contributions in Medical and Healthcare sectors, Dr Ataat Khan has contributed significantly in diverse fields like management, manufacturing, real estate, industry, etc. and was hence felicitated.
The UP government also honoured the progeny of Indian immigrants taken to Trinidad and Tobago by the British, Basdeo Pandey, who went on to become the Prime Minister of the island nation.
Frank Islam is an entrepreneur and philanthropist settled in the USA but did not forget his roots in Azamgarh and set up a school and has been awarding scholarships to students for higher education.
Kanwal Rekhi of Kanpur is the Co-founder of the TiE in the USA. Besides holding top posts in various global organisations, Reach is known for entrepreneurial ventures.
lord Khalid Hameed is a native of lucknow and presently based in london. For his outstanding contribution in the area of religious unity, he has been conferred with various awards by the Indian Government including Padma Shree and Padma Bhusan. He also held important positions in the British administration.
Dr Krishan Kumar, after completing medical education in Kanpur, migrated to USA and immensely contributed to Paediatrics.
Nadeem Akhtar Tarin was educated in Aligarh and is known for his contribution in building & construction, education, finance, real estate sectors. He has been instrumental in generating employment for Indians working in Saudi Arabia.
Dr Nandini Tandon hails from Sitapur and went on to set up medical and healthcare ventures in Silicon Valley, USA after holding several positions in the US Healthcare sector.
Based in New Zealand, Dr Rajendra Prasad is an active politician and MP of the island nation and has been involved in various labour welfare and social cohesion activities.
Prof Rajesh Chandra is a person of Indian Origin and has contributed to education in Fiji and held several respectable positions in the education sector.
Dr Rajendra Tewari, set up his own venture in the Netherlands and has served at different institutions. His work has been of great benefit for the Indian diaspora.
Dr Shri Nath Singh is a graduate from the IIT-Kanpur, migrated to the USA. In addition to establishing his own venture there, is also involved in building schools for poor children in India.
Suman Kapoor of Kanpur is now settled in New Zealand. He has contributed towards propagation of Hindi language, women empowerment and education.
Talat F Hasan was educated in Aligarh before moving to the USA to become the first Indian American woman to set up her technical venture at Silicon Valley and has been engaged in encouraging students from poor background by providing scholarships for higher education.