The prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), which stands as India’s highest recognition for the contributions of overseas Indians, will be conferred during the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention. This esteemed award acknowledges the remarkable contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and institutions led by them, recognizing their exceptional achievements both in India and abroad.

Scheduled to take place from January 8 to January 10, 2025, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be hosted in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, marking an important occasion for the Indian diaspora. The award ceremony will take place during the Valedictory Session, which will be presided over by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

The selection of awardees was carried out by a Jury-cum-Awards Committee, headed by the Vice-President of India, and supported by the External Affairs Minister as Vice-Chair, along with other distinguished members. The committee evaluated the nominations and unanimously chose the winners for their excellence in various fields, including community service, education, science, medicine, business, and public affairs.

This year, 27 exceptional individuals and organizations have been selected to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025. The awardees represent the finest accomplishments of the Indian diaspora across different sectors. 

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman List of Awardees: Excellence in Various Fields:

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

- Ajay Rane (Australia)
- Swami Sanyuktanand (Fiji)
- Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Guyana)
- Sarita Boodhoo (Mauritius)
- Hindustani Samaj (Russia)
- Robert Masih Nahar (Spain)
- Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu (Uganda)
- Sharmila Ford (USA)

EDUCATION

- Marialena Joan Fernandes (Austria)
- Ram Niwas (Myanmar)
- Sudha Rani Gupta (Russia)
- Atul Arvind Temurnikar (Singapore)

MEDICAL SCIENCE

- Philomena Ann Mohini Harris (Barbados)
- Prem Kumar (Kyrgyz Republic)
- Syed Anwar Khursheed (Saudi Arabia)

MEDICINE

- Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya (Tanzania)
- Sharad Lakhanpal (USA)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

- Lekh Raj Juneja (Japan)

BUSINESS

- Soukthavy Chowdhury (Laos)
- Krishna Savjani (Malawi)
- Abhaya Kumar (Moldova)
- Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana (Romania)
- Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer (UAE)
- Ravi Kumar S (USA)

POLITICS

- ‘Tan Sri’ Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam (Malaysia)
- Usha Kumari Prashar (UK)

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

- Christine Carla Kangaloo (Trinidad and Tobago)

BUSINESS, IT, AND CONSULTING

- Ravi Kumar S (USA)

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention serves as a platform to strengthen the relationship between India and its global diaspora, recognizing their invaluable contributions to both nations.

About 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD-2025):

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is a biennial event designed to enhance the connection between the Indian diaspora and the Government of India, fostering a sense of unity and celebrating their shared cultural heritage. This event aims to provide a platform for overseas Indians to engage with their homeland, share experiences, and contribute to its progress. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will take place from January 8 to 10, 2025, in the vibrant city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The theme for this year’s convention, “Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), underscores the pivotal role that the Indian diaspora plays in the country’s development. The convention will serve as a space for productive discussions, collaboration, and recognition of the contributions made by the global Indian community in areas such as business, education, technology, and social welfare, all of which support India’s vision for a prosperous and developed future.