ID :
31859
Sun, 11/23/2008 - 18:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/31859
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Montek Singh conferred 'Sikh of the Year' 2008 award
H S Rao
London, Nov 23 (PTI) Deputy Chairman of the Planning
Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, has been conferred with
the coveted 'Sikh of the Year' award for his outstanding
contributions to the growth of modern Indian economy.
Ahluwalia, one of the pioneers of the country's economic
renaissance, received the award from Viscount Slim, a
pro-India cross bench peer, at a gala dinner organised by the
'Sikh Forum International' at the glittering Great Hall in
Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn here.
Recognising his achievements and various impressive
positions he held at the World Bank and later with the
government of India, the citation recalled that in August this
year, India honoured him with the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak
Puraskar in recognition of his contribution towards the
economic growth of the country.
"Sixty-years after independence, India is delivering on
it's promise and it is the likes of Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia
that are now allowing us to say 'Mera Bharat Mahan' - My India
is Great," the citation stated.
In his acceptance speech, Ahluwalia said it's an honour
to receive such a prestigious award. "It is a special
privilege to come to the Lincoln's Inn to receive the Award."
"It is rather nice that the Forum has given the award to
someone from India. I have a small role in the whole process
of what is taking place in India - the change in the economic
scenario," Ahluwalia said.
He also attributed the economic success to the leadership
of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who had taken the initiative
in 1991 when he was the Finance Minister.
"It is Dr Manmohan Singh who set India on a completely
different path - upward path. In the last four years, India
had registered a growth of 9 per cent and I am confident that
despite the ongoing global financial crisis, the country would
fare better than many others," he said.
"Our growth will be not less than 7 per cent."
He also lauded the achievements of Indian diaspora in
their efforts and asked the Non Resident Indian community to
invest more and more in India.
High Commissioner Mukherjee, on the occasion, said even
in 1991 Dr Ahluwalia as Secretary, Department of Economic
Affairs, had played a crucial role in architecting the modern
Indian economy.
Dr Ahluwalia also launched a publication "The Granth as
the Eternal Guru", brought out by the Sikh Forum
International.
In addition, Dr Rami Ranger, a leading NRI entrepreneur,
presented "Don't Break Up India", a biography by his father,
Shaheed Nanak Singh to Dr Ahluwalia.
A host of dignitaries including Indian High Commissioner
to UK, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, Lord Khalid Hameed, Lord Navnit
Dholakia, OBE, Lord Falconer, Lord Griffiths, Lord Hannay,
Lord John Stevens, Lord Sheikh, Baroness Verma and Judge Mota
Singh (Retd) QC attended the function.
President of the Sikh Forum International, Ranjit Singh,
OBE presented a cheque for 32,000 pounds to the Prince's
Trust. PTI HSR
RKM
NNNN
London, Nov 23 (PTI) Deputy Chairman of the Planning
Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, has been conferred with
the coveted 'Sikh of the Year' award for his outstanding
contributions to the growth of modern Indian economy.
Ahluwalia, one of the pioneers of the country's economic
renaissance, received the award from Viscount Slim, a
pro-India cross bench peer, at a gala dinner organised by the
'Sikh Forum International' at the glittering Great Hall in
Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn here.
Recognising his achievements and various impressive
positions he held at the World Bank and later with the
government of India, the citation recalled that in August this
year, India honoured him with the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak
Puraskar in recognition of his contribution towards the
economic growth of the country.
"Sixty-years after independence, India is delivering on
it's promise and it is the likes of Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia
that are now allowing us to say 'Mera Bharat Mahan' - My India
is Great," the citation stated.
In his acceptance speech, Ahluwalia said it's an honour
to receive such a prestigious award. "It is a special
privilege to come to the Lincoln's Inn to receive the Award."
"It is rather nice that the Forum has given the award to
someone from India. I have a small role in the whole process
of what is taking place in India - the change in the economic
scenario," Ahluwalia said.
He also attributed the economic success to the leadership
of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who had taken the initiative
in 1991 when he was the Finance Minister.
"It is Dr Manmohan Singh who set India on a completely
different path - upward path. In the last four years, India
had registered a growth of 9 per cent and I am confident that
despite the ongoing global financial crisis, the country would
fare better than many others," he said.
"Our growth will be not less than 7 per cent."
He also lauded the achievements of Indian diaspora in
their efforts and asked the Non Resident Indian community to
invest more and more in India.
High Commissioner Mukherjee, on the occasion, said even
in 1991 Dr Ahluwalia as Secretary, Department of Economic
Affairs, had played a crucial role in architecting the modern
Indian economy.
Dr Ahluwalia also launched a publication "The Granth as
the Eternal Guru", brought out by the Sikh Forum
International.
In addition, Dr Rami Ranger, a leading NRI entrepreneur,
presented "Don't Break Up India", a biography by his father,
Shaheed Nanak Singh to Dr Ahluwalia.
A host of dignitaries including Indian High Commissioner
to UK, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, Lord Khalid Hameed, Lord Navnit
Dholakia, OBE, Lord Falconer, Lord Griffiths, Lord Hannay,
Lord John Stevens, Lord Sheikh, Baroness Verma and Judge Mota
Singh (Retd) QC attended the function.
President of the Sikh Forum International, Ranjit Singh,
OBE presented a cheque for 32,000 pounds to the Prince's
Trust. PTI HSR
RKM
NNNN
