Saudi Arabia: Farooq Portfolio elected Markazul Huda convener

Dr Syed Anwar Khursheed, one of the longest-serving Indian physicians in Saudi Arabia, was honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award on Friday, the highest honor conferred by India's president on nationals based overseas. Dr. Khursheed, born in Gulbarga, Karnataka, has dedicated over 40 years of his life to the Kingdom. He served for three decades at King Faisal Hospital in Taif and nearly a decade as a Royal Protocol physician in Riyadh. His work extended to the COVID-19 response and overseeing critical care operations for Hajj pilgrims.

In addition to his medical career, Dr. Khursheed has made significant contributions to education, founding the International Indian School in Taif and providing guidance for other schools catering to the Indian community in Saudi Arabia.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, established in 2003, celebrates exceptional contributions of overseas Indians in various fields, including medicine, community service, and education. Dr. Khursheed was among 27 recipients of this year's award and the only one from Saudi Arabia. He received the honor from President Droupadi Murmu.

India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, highlighted Dr. Khursheed’s distinguished 45-year career in public healthcare and his role in the Medical Protocol Department of the Royal Saudi Family for eight years. He also oversaw critical care during the Hajj program at Minah and Arafat.

Khan emphasized that the award recognizes Dr. Khursheed’s outstanding contributions to medical science, healthcare, and the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia, marking a moment of great pride for the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom.

DC congratulates

Kalaburgi Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Fauziya Taranum B has congratulated Dr Syed Anwar Khursheed for the prestigious award.

“I appreciate your contribution towards education and healthcare. It’s a very proud moment for Kalaburgi district,” the DC said. 

New York: NRI International Love All, a non-governmental organization founded on the principles of love, communal harmony, and universal brotherhood, hosted an online tribute event to honor the remarkable legacy of Dr. Manmohan Singh, one of India's most revered leaders.

Under the leadership of its International President, Mr. Ashok Arora, a distinguished Supreme Court advocate and former Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, the organization has consistently worked to promote the idea that "the world is one family"—a philosophy deeply rooted in the Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

The tribute event brought together participants from across the globe to celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Manmohan Singh. In his opening remarks, Mr. Ashok Arora warmly welcomed attendees and set the tone by quoting a poignant line from the Hindi film Anand: "Anand mara nahi, Anand marte nahi; ache log amar ho jaate hain" (Anand doesn’t die; good people become immortal). He highlighted Dr. Singh’s immense contributions to India's progress, emphasizing his enduring legacy as a source of inspiration.

The event featured a diverse lineup of distinguished speakers, each reflecting on Dr. Singh’s extraordinary character and achievements:

Mr. Salim Khalifa, Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Chapter, described Dr. Singh as a leader defined by wisdom, truth, and humility. He emphasized that Dr. Singh's calm demeanor, gentle heart, and extraordinary vision made him a guiding light for generations to come.

Mr. Umakant Lakhera, a senior journalist, shared his experiences covering Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister, praising his transparency and respect for democratic principles. Mr. Lakhera recalled Dr. Singh’s media-friendly approach, recounting how he encouraged tough questions and upheld accountability.

Mr. Anand Vardhan Singh, a renowned journalist and former editor of Lokmat, addressed the criticism that Dr. Singh didn’t win elections. He highlighted the 2009 general election, where under Dr. Singh’s leadership, the Congress party achieved a significant victory, increasing its seat count by 61.

Engr Syed Nasir Khurshid, a social activist and Convener of the Saudi Arabia Chapter, paid tribute with a heartfelt recitation of Allama Iqbal’s poetry. He described Dr. Singh as a once-in-a-century leader who dedicated his life to improving the economic and social conditions of the common people.

Throughout the event, Mr. Ashok Arora introduced the speakers with thoughtful insights, weaving poetry and eloquence into his commentary. He also acknowledged heartfelt messages from attendees worldwide, including journalists, intellectuals, engineers, IT professionals, and other dignitaries from countries like Australia, the UK, Germany, and the Middle East.

Speakers universally agreed on Dr. Singh’s unparalleled contributions to India’s economic growth, which laid the groundwork for the country’s current aspirations of becoming a $5 trillion economy. They celebrated his integrity, humility, and dedication to public service, marking him as one of India’s finest leaders.

The event concluded with heartfelt thanks from Mr. Salim Khalifa, who expressed gratitude to participants for joining across time zones to honor Dr. Singh. The seamless execution of the program was made possible by the technical team—Tamim Al Hasan, Azharuddin, and Ubaid Gotori—who were commended for their professionalism.

NRI International Love All remains committed to spreading the message of love and unity, inspired by the vision of leaders like Dr. Manmohan Singh.