JEDDAH — Two Indian expatriates from Saudi Arabia have been selected for the "Pravasi Bharatiya Excellence Award 2016". Mohammed Abdul Rahman Saleem, president of Hindustani Bazm-e-Urdu Riyadh, is a well-known social activist and an architect by profession and Seshu Kumar Pitani, a mechanical engineer in Petro Rabigh, have been selected for the award in recognition of their tireless efforts for welfare their community in Saudi Arabia. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day) is celebrated in India every year on Jan. 9 to mark the contribution of overseas Indians for the development of the country. The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in Bangalore with the theme "Redefining Engagement with the Indian Diaspora". Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is a program organized by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to foster greater interaction between the Indian Diaspora and the government. It provides the diaspora a platform to put forth their issues and grievances before the government. At the same time, the government also uses this occasion to showcase opportunities for investment in India to the expatriate community. Pitani has been involved in several welfare activities and awareness campaigns among the Telugu community in Rabigh since 2013. He is an active member of Telugu Association Jeddah (TAJ). Saleem, who has been serving in the Kingdom for the past 40 years is a well-recognized senior NRI in Riyadh. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, he said, "I feel proud and humble by my nomination for the Pravasi Excellence Award 2016 by COTA. Dedication and good work always pay off in the form of recognition. I am thankful to selection committee." Saleem arrived in the Kingdom in 1976. He worked for the Mataf expansion project in the Grand Mosque in Makkah with Consultant Associated Consulting Engineers and then became the head of Design Section in Umm Ul-Qura University from 1977 to 1988. He has also designed Al-Azizia and Al-Zahir Complex buildings. Saleem joined Salah Abal Khaleel Consulting Engineers in 1988 as chief architect and got promoted to the level of vice president of the company. Since 2007, he is working in Gulf Real Estate Company as director of projects. "Many projects were completed during my tenure, among them are Al-Yamamah Press, Ministry of Interior Car Park," he said. He has been the founder of many community organizations in Riyadh, including NRI Architects Association, Bazme Hyderabad, Bazme Urdu Riyadh, Bazme Ittehad Riyadh Chapter, Bazme Urdu Toastmasters Club Riyadh. He has also been the first recipient of Salar E Millat award from Bazme Ittehad, Saudi Arabia. In recognition of his services and exemplary contribution in the field of architecture and community service in Saudi Arabia, he has been selected for the Pravasi Excellence Award-2016. A total of 15 NRIs from different Gulf countries have been selected for the award this year. All the recipients will be felicitated in Hyderabad on the occasion of International Migrants Day on Dec. 18. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA) is the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians by the President of India as part of the PBD Conventions organized annually since 2003.
