Expressing gratitude on the support that Hon. Consul receives from all community leaders in supporting the members of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand; Hon Consul Bhav Dhillon has dedicated his recently conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award to all community leaders of the Kiwi-Indian community.
“This award is dedicated to all community leaders who help me on a daily basis to make a tangible positive difference within our Kiwi Indian Diaspora,” Mr Dhillon said.
“Assisting our diasporic communities here in New Zealand is a huge responsibility and it could not be achieved without the support of our community organisations and their leaders.”
Bhav Dhillon (just behind President Ram Nath Kovind) along with other recipients of Pravasi Bhartiya Samman from across the globe at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2019 in Varanasi, India (Image: MEA)
Taking note of all congratulatory messages arriving on texts, and on social media, immediately after receiving the award Mr Dhillon said, “I thank each and everyone for sending their kind messages.
“It would be great to meet with everyone when back in Auckland and personally acknowledge their continuous support,” Mr Dhillon told The Indian Weekender from Varanasi, India.
Sharing his experience of the entire Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations Mr Dhillon said, “The atmosphere here is indeed electrifying with such a huge number of delegates from all around the world coming together at one platform.
“I am personally feeling blessed to have received this award in the holy city of Varanasi which holds the reputation of being one of the ancient-most cities of the world.
“I took the opportunity to visit the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple and take a deep plunge into the culture and heritage that this ancient city has to offer to the entire world,” Mr Dhillon said.
From Left- National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Indian Union Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) V K Singh and Bhav Dhillon at Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2019 in Varanasi, India
Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of India in Wellington, Sanjiv Kohli welcomed the conferring of the award on Mr Dhillon on Twitter, “Huge recognition for our Kiwi Indian diaspora as @BhavDhillonnz receives Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2019 from honourable President. Great honour and so richly deserved.”
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, Mr Kohli further added, “This award is a very well deserved recognition of his work for the community as well as for his professional excellence.
“This award also underlines the inherent strength and potential of our diaspora communities and the positive role it plays both here in New Zealand and in India,” Mr Kohli said.
Echoing similar sentiments MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, who is also in India as the Guest of Honour in the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas celebrations said, “It is a fitting recognition to the passion and energy that our Hon. Consul Bhav Dhillon puts behind supporting our Indian community.”