India honours 10 diaspora members for enhancing image abroad

Ten prominent members of the Indian diaspora from various parts of the world, including Mahatma Gandhi's granddaughter Ela Gandhi, were Thursday honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.

President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the award at the 12th edition of the annual diaspora meet - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) - here.

Ela Gandhi, who is based in South Africa, was honoured for her contributions in the field of public services, enhancing India's image and promoting ties between India and South Africa.

Other awardees included Bahrain-based businessman Kurian Verghese, Canada-based entrepreneur and philanthropist Vasdev Chanchlani and France-based educationist Bikas Chandra Sanyal.

Two people whose names were included in the list did not attend the event, while the Ramakrishna Mission's Fiji unit was honoured for its community service and philanthropic activities and enhancing India's prestige abroad.