GANDHINAGAR: The list of 15 diaspora members honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman here Friday includes a president, politicians, prominent businesspersons and scientists who have all worked for the Indian diaspora community in their respective countries.

Vice President Hamid Ansari gave away the Samman, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians,Aduring the valedictory function of the 13th PravasiBharatiya Divas at the Mahatma Mandir convention centre.

Mala Mehta from Australia was given the Samman for her contribution to Hindi language. She established an 'Indo-Australian Bal Bharatiya Vidyalaya' in Thornleigh suburb in Sydney and since then has been pursuing the growth of Hindi in Australia.

Donald Rabindernauth Ramaotar, the president of Guyana, has been awarded for his work for the Indian diaspora in Guyana.

Rajaram Sanjaya, an India-born Mexico scientist, is winner of the '2014 World Food Prize' for developing 480 wheat varieties that have been released in 51 countries.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakhshi, an MP from New Zealand, is also known for his work for the Indian diaspora.

Essop Goolam Pahad, a South African politician, was minister in the Presidency from 1999 to September 2008 in South Africa. Mahendra Nanji Mehta, a Uganda-based businessman of Indian roots, and Nathuram Puri of Purico Group of Britain were chosen for their contribution to Indian diaspora.

Lord Raj Loomba, a philanthropist and founder of clothing company, Rinku Group and a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords was also named for the honour.

Kamlesh Lulla, chief scientist for Earth observation in the Human Exploration Science Office at the Johnson Space Centre at NASA, was named for the award for his exceptional service to space science.

Nandini Tandon was given the award for her work in life sciences and healthcare and IT in USA and India.

Satyanarayana Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, was also named for the honour. Bharatkumar Jayantilal Shah is a Dubai-based businessman and philanthropist; Rajmal M. Parakh is from Oman while Justice Doraikannu Karunakaran from Seychelles and AAshraf Palarakunnummal from UAE.

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