President Ali receives prestigious Indian award for contribution in politics, community welfare

President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest civilian honour the Indian government grants to people of Indian origin in the diaspora.

The award was conferred on Dr Ali by Indian President Droupadi Murmu at the ongoing 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, the largest gathering of persons of Indian origin living outside of the sub-continent. The Convention is taking place in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

President Ali received the award for his contribution to politics and community welfare.

The citation for the award to Dr Ali reads: “Dr Irfaan Ali is the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Through his efforts, he has been able to put aside racial differences in Guyana and has been working to diversify Guyana’s economy from oil and gas dependence to a more public welfare-oriented approach.

He also championed environmental causes, like in Caribbean climate change, though a low carbon development strategy.

“He has great respect and affinity towards India and has been very vocal in extolling India for its achievements in various sectors.”