Britain institutes award commemorating Dadabhai Naoroji

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg Tuesday announced an award in memory of the legendary Indian businessman and freedom-fighter, Dadabhai Naoroji.

"Today, I am announcing the Dadabhai Naoroji Awards which will be given annually to individuals promoting partnership between India and UK in domains like commerce, education and culture," Clegg said on the sidelines of an event in St Xaviers College where he interacted with the students.

Known as the Grand Old Man of India, the Mumbai-born (then Bombay) Parsi, Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Asian MP in the British House of Commons (1892-1895) and was also one of the co-founders of the Indian National Congress, which led the country's struggle for Independence from British rule.

The award will be run by the British Foreign Office and will recognize exceptional individuals who promote and celebrate the partnership between the two countries in different spheres, he said.

Clegg also said that there would be no limit on the number of Indian students going for higher education in Britain.

There is a great potential for the two countries to collaborate more on education and hence there would not be a cap on the numbers of Indian students who will be allowed to study in that country, he said.