Ela Gandhi has been awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for public service, enhancing India's image and promoting ties between India and South Africa. President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the awards to the winners at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas programme in New Delhi. Gandhi, who was a member of Parliament in South Africa from 1994-2004, was placed under house arrest in 1943 for five years during that country's freedom struggle.
Lisa Maria Singh is the first member of Australian Parliament of South Asian descent and has held several ministerial portfolios in the past. She is a senator from Tasmania. Singh was given the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for public service and fostering friendly relations between India and Australia.
Ramkrishna Mission, serving in Fiji since 1937, was honoured for community service and philanthropic activities and enhancing India's prestige abroad. Other winners include Kurian Verghese for his contribution in the field of business in Bahrain, Vasdev Chanchlani for community service in Canada, Bikas Chandra Sanyal for contribution to education and culture in France, Satnarainsing Rabin Baldewsingh for public service in the Netherlands and Sasindran Muthuvel for public service in Papua New Guinea.
Shibudeen Vava Kunju was given the award for community service in Saudi Arabia, Shamsheer Vayalil Parambath in healthcare business in UAE, Shailesh Lakhman Vara, a solicitor of the Supreme Court in England and Wales, for public service, Parthasarathy Chiramel Pillai for his contribution in field of science in US and Renu Khator for work in field of education in the US.