The prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), the highest recognition for overseas Indians, was held during the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and organizations led by them, recognizing their significant contributions to India and abroad.
The Hon’ble President of India presented the awards during the Valedictory Session of the PBD celebrations, marking the culmination of this grand annual event.
A Jury-cum-Awards Committee, chaired by the Hon’ble Vice-President of India, along with the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister as Vice-Chair, and other eminent members, finalized the list of awardees after careful deliberation. These distinguished individuals and organizations represent the unparalleled achievements of the Indian diaspora across various domains, including community service, medicine, education, politics, business, and science.
Below is the complete list of recipients for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2025:
| Sr. No. | Name | 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 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 | 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) |
This year’s awardees highlight the incredible impact of the Indian diaspora in advancing innovation, fostering global connections, and contributing to the progress of society.
About the Author
Dr. Tausif Malik is an Indian American social entrepreneur, publisher, and academician, renowned for his innovative ventures. He founded and publishes The Desi Buzz, GCC Startup News, Startup Berita, and Halal Biz News, amplifying entrepreneurship globally. Dr. Malik also spearheads AIMBSN, Halal Angels Network, and Startup Villages, fostering startup ecosystems. His groundbreaking initiative, RiseBack.org, offers affordable edtech solutions, providing Indian university programs starting at $50 per month and professional IT courses priced at $250-$350. Through his diverse endeavors, Dr. Malik empowers individuals with access to education and opportunities.
