Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya, CEO & Consultant Physician at Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, Dar es Salaam has been awarded the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025 by the President of India at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 10 January 2025 for his exceptional service to the community in the field of medicine.

Dr. Kaushik Ramaiya is a Tanzanian citizen of Indian origin. He is a medical doctor (physician/Endocrinologist) by profession and CEO of Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He has dedicated numerous years to researching non-communicable diseases, including glucose tolerance and cardiovascular disease risk factors, mainly among Indian communities living in Africa. His research on the role of ethnic differences is of great value.  He is actively working with children who have Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular complications of antiretroviral drugs in HIV/AIDS and Diabetes/TB interaction. He has also worked with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the President’s Office of Regional & Local Government (PORALG) to implement Diabetes / NCD programs in Zonal, Regional, and District Hospitals & Health Centers all over the country in Tanzania. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. Recently he was elected as a board member of the National Health Insurance Fund, Tanzania.

Dr. Kaushik is the fourth Tanzanian citizen of Indian origin to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. Prior recipients include Mr. Jayantilal Keshavji Chande in 2005, Dr. Rajni Kanabar in 2010, and Ms. Hajiat Shamim Parkar Khan in 2019.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honor conferred by the Government of India on overseas Indians. PBSA is conferred by the President of India as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention on Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin or an organization/institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

India boasts one of the largest diasporas globally, serving as a significant asset for the nation. The Indian diaspora has facilitated the establishment of cultural connections and broadened India's influence on the world stage by promoting its rich culture, heritage, traditions, and cuisine across the world. The Indian diaspora also contributes substantially to the development of their host countries, enhancing bilateral relations. 

To honor the contributions of the Indian diaspora, the Government of India has been observing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas annually since 2003. January 9 was chosen as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa in 1915.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a biennial event held to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their cultural roots. The event is held over a period of  three days, from January 8 to 10, and each time is held in a different state in India, allowing the attendees to explore the unique historical, cultural, and tourism offerings of the host state. 

This year the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 08-10 January 2025. The theme of the 18th PBD Convention was "Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention commenced with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 8, 2025, in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The convention was officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, on January 9, 2025. Chief Guest of PBD 2025, President of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Christine Carla Kangaloo, addressed the gathering virtually. 

PM Modi inaugurated four exhibitions - (i)Vishwaroop Ram - The Universal Legacy of Ramayana (ii)Diaspora’s Contribution to Technology and Viksit Bharat.
(iii) the Spread and Evolution of the Indian diaspora in the world with a special focus on Mandvi  Muscat and (iv) the Heritage and Culture of Odisha.

PM Modi also virtually launched the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train tailored for invited members of the global diaspora under Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana as part of PBD celebrations. Three Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)—Mrs. Nila Jivan, Mrs. Bhavini Rajput, and Mr. Sandeep Rajput have been invited from Tanzania for the Pravasi Bharatiya Express program. This unique initiative, introduced this year, offers the invited guests a three-week expedition to various culturally and religiously significant sites throughout India.

The convention also featured thematic plenary sessions with distinguished international guests, drawing a substantial number of participants from the Indian diaspora, representing over 50 countries. Mrs. Sudha Majithia, a dynamic entrepreneur, social worker, and philanthropist based in Arusha was invited by the Government of India to participate in the Thematic Plenary Session “Diaspora Divas: Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Influence – Nari Shakti” at the PBD convention.

Four Tanzanians of Indian origin, Mr. Rajiv Rajesh Makwana, Mrs. Deeya Rishi Vaja, Mr. Kishen Milan Majithia, and Mr. Sahil Rashmi Valambhia, who were selected for a 2-week long tour of India under the ‘Know India Program’ for Indian diaspora youth also had the opportunity to participate in the PBD convention. 

The Government of India has implemented various diaspora-specific initiatives aimed at fostering connections with its global Indian community. These efforts have successfully helped to maintain a strong emotional bond between the diaspora and India. The PBD convention, in particular, has established itself as a valuable forum for connecting with the Indian diaspora, consistently drawing regular enthusiastic participation of the Indian diaspora.