FIA and its trustees honored with Pravasi Bhartiya Samman awards

THE Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) along with its trustee board member Srujal Parikh, its past president Alok Kumar, have been honored with Pravasi Bhartiya Samman award as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) celebrations on Saturday at the Consulate General of India in New York.

‘We are very proud, humbled and thankful to be the recipient of the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman,” FIA President Anil Bansal said.

‘It is the recognition of hard and selfless work of so many people in the FIA family. This award is for the exceptional and meritorious contribution to India, the Indians for social and humanitarian causes,' he added.

Since 2003, the India government has been celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on every January 9 to recognize the contribution of the overseas Indian community toward the development of India as well as their contributions to their adopted country.

‘It's great honor to receive this prestigious recognition along with my fraternity brother Alok Kumar,' Parikh said.

Noting that the award is in recognition of their ‘community service with partnership with the Consulate,' Parikh converted his gratitude to Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal and others.

Parikh began his journey with the FIA 12 years ago as a volunteer. He was elected the president in 2018.

Kumar is the Managing Director and founding partner of United Business Solutions, Inc, a prominent New Jersey-based IT Consulting firm.

The 16th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The theme of the convention, aimed at encouraging Indian diaspora to be part of socio-economic development in India, was ‘Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.'