National List MP, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi has been awarded Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award during 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, concluded yesterday in Gandhinagar, Gujrat. He says that he feels honoured to receive the prestigious award. The award was presented to Mr Bakshi by Indian Vice President, Hon’ble M Hamid Ansari.
The award recognises exceptional and meritorious contributions by recipients in their chosen field. Recipients are chosen by the India’s Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and presented with the awards on India’s non-resident Indian Day, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
“It is a great honour to receive the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. In accepting this award, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of all New Zealanders of Indian origin to Kiwi culture, communities, and the economy,” Mr Bakshi said.
“As the first Indian-born New Zealander to receive this award, I am deeply humbled and thankful for all the support I have received.
MP Bakshi has been awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for his services to the community in New Zealand and for building a positive profile of people of Indian origin in New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Earlier recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from New Zealand include Sir Anand Satyanand and Judge Ajit Swaran Singh.