Australia’s Prof. Ajay Rane and Fiji’s Swami Sanyuktanand have been named recipients of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), the highest honor for overseas Indians. The PBSA recognizes individuals of Indian origin who have made remarkable contributions across various fields. Both Prof. Rane and Swami Sanyuktanand have been honored for their extraordinary contributions in community service and humanitarian leadership, respectively.
Prof. Ajay Rane, a professor and advocate for women’s health, has been recognized for his transformative impact on maternal healthcare and social equity in Australia. As the founding Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at James Cook University, Prof. Rane created Queensland’s first non-metropolitan urogynaecology service. His work has had a global influence, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where he addressed fistula as a human rights issue. In 2020, he became the only Australian to receive an honorary fellowship from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in recognition of his contributions to women’s health.
Swami Sanyuktanand from Fiji has been honored for his exceptional humanitarian and spiritual leadership. As the founder of the Fiji Sevashram Sangha, established in April 2000, he has transformed the organization into one of Fiji’s largest and most impactful community service entities. Under his leadership, the Sangha has organized student camps, Purnima pooja, disaster relief efforts, and promoted unity through festivals like Ganesh Utsav. His commitment to serving the Fijian community is inspired by selfless service and compassion, aligned with the vision of Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s founder, Srimat Swami Pranavananda Ji Maharaj.
In addition to Prof. Rane and Swami Sanyuktanand, this year’s PBSA recipients include individuals from diverse countries such as Austria, Japan, the United States, and Guyana, spanning sectors such as education, medical science, business, and public affairs. These awardees exemplify the widespread influence of the Indian diaspora, showcasing their contributions in shaping global innovation, culture, and humanitarian efforts.
The selection process for the PBSA is managed by a distinguished Jury-cum-Awards Committee, chaired by India’s Vice President and comprising the External Affairs Minister and other notable members. The honorees are celebrated for their outstanding achievements in fields that reflect the values of excellence and societal contribution.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards will be presented during the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, taking place in Bhubaneswar from 8–10 January 2025. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards during the valedictory session on 10 January.
The following are the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2025:
- Prof. Ajay Rane, Australia – Community Service
- Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes, Austria – Education
- Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris, Barbados – Medical Science
- Swami Sanyuktanand, Fiji – Community Service
- Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Guyana – Community Service
- Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja, Japan – Science & Technology
- Dr. Prem Kumar, Kyrgyz Republic – Medical Science
- Soukthavy Chowdhury, Laos – Business
- Krishna Savjani, Malawi – Business
- ‘Tan Sri’ Dr. Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam, Malaysia – Politics
- Dr. Sarita Boodhoo, Mauritius – Community Service
- Mr. Abhaya Kumar, Moldova – Business
- Dr. Ram Niwas @ Hla Tun, Myanmar – Education
- Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana, Romania – Business
- Hindustani Samaj, Russia – Community Service
- Sudha Rani Gupta, Russia – Education
- Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed, Saudi Arabia – Medical Science
- Atul Arvind Temurnikar, Singapore – Education
- Robert Masih Nahar, Spain – Community Service
- Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya, Tanzania – Medicine
- H.E. Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, Trinidad & Tobago – Public Affairs
- Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer, UAE – Business
- Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu, Uganda – Community Service
- Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar, UK – Politics
- Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal, USA – Medicine
- Dr. Sharmila Ford, USA – Community Service
- Ravi Kumar S., USA – Business (IT & Consulting)
These individuals represent the finest of the Indian diaspora, whose achievements continue to shape the global landscape and promote the values of excellence, community, and service.
