Over the weekend, The Indian Cultural Association, Lagos, Nigeria, had cause to celebrate as the President of the Association, Chief Sanjay Jain on behalf of the Association, received the much coveted Pravasi Bhartya Samman Award (Non Resident Honour Award) which was awarded to the Association, by the Government of India, at the 16th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas celebrations in New Delhi.
The celebration of Non-Resident Indians Day, popularly known as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which is hosted annually in India by the Indian government, took place on Saturday 9th January, 2021.
As the name implies, this special ceremony celebrates Indians who have taken residence in other countries outside India. The day 9th of January is significant as on that day Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation, came back to India from South Africa. To commemorate that, the day has been chosen as the rightful day to have the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas celebrations.
The usually grand event was limited this year to a virtual platform celebration due to the Covid -19 restrictions, but that did not reduce the significance of the event in any way. Chief Jain recalled that the event was graced by the esteemed presence of the Honourable President of India, Mr. Ramnath Kovind, Honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister, Mr. S. Jayshankar amongst many other dignitaries, when the announcements were made.
It was then decided that the award – A Gold Medal and a Charter duly signed by the President of India has to be handed over to the President of Indian Cultural Association, in Lagos itself through the High Commission of India to Nigeria.
Chief Sanjay Jain informed that “The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the Highest Honour conferred on overseas Indians/institutions by Honourable President of India as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations.
In a briefing to the Press, Chief Jain had this to say:
“As the President of the Indian Cultural Association, it gives me immense pleasure in sharing with you the newest feather to Indian Cultural Association’s cap of service and commitment to the Indian community in Nigeria. We remain committed to community welfare and we will continue with the same strides that enables us to do more charitable work for the needy.” Chief Sanjay Jain, the President of the Indian Cultural Association Lagos, Nigeria commended the efforts of all the Indians in Nigeria.
He thanked the Indian High Commissioner – H.E. Mr. Abhay Thakur who arranged a befitting ceremony in which the award was handed over to Chief Sanjay Jain, President, ICA on 20th of August, 2021 at the High Commission of India premises in Lagos, Nigeria.
Indian Cultural Association (ICA) is the umbrella association of all the Indians residing in Nigeria and is in existence over 50 years in Nigeria. The motto of ICA is “Brotherhood through Culture”. Its objectives, among other things, are:-
To promote cultural integration between India and Nigeria.
To engage in and support programs to assist less privileged among the host communities;
As stated above, Chief Sanjay Jain is the current President of Indian Cultural Association. He has been associated with ICA for over two decades and is involved in charitable activities for the needy in Nigeria.
Lots of charitable projects were undertaken into ICA’s activity agenda due to his visionary thinking which not only brought smile on the needy Nigerians’ faces but also earned good name for the Indian community in Nigeria. He is supported by a vibrant committee.
He added that the entire Indian community of Lagos, Nigeria is elated with joy as this is termed as an historic event as it is the very first time that any such kind of award is bestowed to any individual or institution in Nigeria. And since it has been awarded to Indian Cultural Association, which is the apex body of Indians, it gives them a great sense of accomplishment. Chief Jain dedicated the award to the entire Indian community.
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