RIYADH, 3 January 2006 — For the first time ever, a Saudi national of Indian origin has been selected for the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA) 2006.
The name of Dr. Majid Kazi, consultant at the Royal Court, was announced by T.N. Anantha Krishna, first secretary (press & information), at the Indian Embassy yesterday. He said that the selection was made by the jury for the PBSA 2006 in New Delhi recently.
The awards, given to non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIOs), will be handed out by India’s President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in the south Indian city of Hyderabad on Jan. 9. The recipients of the award include those who have distinguished themselves in various walks of life.
The award was instituted in 2003 to honor NRIs and PIOs among the Indian diaspora for their contributions that have helped cement India’s relations with the countries of their residence. Dr. Kazi is the first recipient of the award from Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Kazi, who hails from Hyderabad, currently works as the consultant cardiologist, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center. He was also the personal physician to late King Fahd. Expressing his delight at the award conferred on Dr. Kazi, India’s Ambassador M.O.H. Farook said it was a tribute to the members of the Indian diaspora for their sincere work which won them laurels in the Gulf states and elsewhere.
Speaking on phone, Dr. Kazi said, “It is an honor to me and my family .” He added that the announcement came as a pleasant surprise, since he had not sought any honor for himself. He recalled that his brother, late Kazi Saleem, a poet and parliamentarian, would have been overjoyed at the honor. Asked for his message to the Indian community, he said they should work with sincerity and devotion “and should feel passionate about their work.”
Dr. Abid Moiz, president, Indian Doctors’ Forum, Riyadh, told Arab News that the award was a recognition for the entire Indian medical community working in the Kingdom. “Dr. Kazi is a humble person despite the high position that he holds as a cardiologist.” A graduate from Osmania University (Hyderabad), he did MD from the US and took fellowship in cardiology from Dalhousie University, Helifax (Canada).
