JEDDAH: Rafeek Younus, managing director of Saudi Engineering Group International (SEGI) and chief global coordinator of Soorya Cultural Society, was awarded the Hind Rattan Award instituted by the New Delhi-based NRI Welfare Society of India.
He received the covetous award from Vilasrao Deshmukh, minister of heavy industries and public enterprises, during a ceremony in New Delhi recently in the presence of Preneet Kaur, minister of state for external affairs, and Gurinder Singh, the society's secretary-general.
Rafeek was given the award in appreciation of his efforts to promote Saudi-Indian cultural and tourism relations. His wife Rehna and daughters Alisha and Anaina were present at the event.
NRI Welfare Society was started with the objective of strengthening bonds between India and Non-Resident Indians. Its advisory board consists of members of Parliament, judges, journalists and social workers.
Younus had earlier won the Muhammad Rafi Award for his efforts to promote Saudi and Indian cultures. The Indo-Saudi Tourism Mart held in Dammam in 2005 was his brainchild. He also took a Saudi folklore troupe for a tour of Kerala two years ago.
