Saturday, 5th July 2008

Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar of Surdhwani and Mr Bhajan Singh Devsi , who is associated with Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust (PCT), have received the “ Glory of India ” award. It could not have come at a more opportune moment since Wolverhampton is celebrating its historical link with India through the Wolverhampton India Summer project; which was launched in Jallandhar by Mr Bhajan Singh Devsi.

 Having previously received the Honorary Fellowship of the University of Wolverhampton in 2002 and the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in 2005, this award in 2008 was the icing on the cake for Maitreyee.

She received the award in London on Saturday 28 June 2008 at a glittering banquet held at the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, Portman Square in London . Past recipients of this award include people such as the late her Holiness Mother Teressa, Mr B D Jatti (former Vice-President of India), Sir Michael Arthur (former British High Commissioner in India), the Rt Hon Lord Parekh, the Rt Hon Lord Rana, the Rt Hon Lord Dholokia, Baroness Shreela Flather, Sunil Gavaskar, just to name a few.

  The India International Friendship Society [IIFS] selected Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar for the award in recognition of her excellence in being proactive and instrumental in strengthening the Indo-British ties. It was recognition of her outstanding contributions as a Non Resident Indian to the building of Indo-British friendship through her voluntary work as an honorary director and Company Secretary of Surdhwani which promotes Indian classical music and dance. Many non resident and resident Indians as well as British from all over the world including USA , Canada , Australia , South East Asia received the award and were present at the banquet.

  The award was presented by a team of eminent guests; which included Hon Shri Madhava Chandra, the Minister (International Organisations) of High Commission of India (UK), Dr Bhishma Narain Singh, Hon Governor of Assam & Tamil Nadu, the Rt Hon Lord Mohamed Iltaf Sheikh and Mr Gauhar Nawab of London, Chairman of Euro Hotel International Ltd in the presence of eminent guests such as His Honour Judge Mota Singh, QC and others.

Sistachar Sarcar, Maitreyee's husband said that he was thrilled that Maitreyee received this prestigious international award. It is a great honour for her friends and family.

For photo opportunity and interview, please contact Mr Sistachar Sarcar, the former Chief Executive of Surdhwani on 07904 318 990 or on 01902 567 583, or email to: Sarcar@surdhwani.org.uk or Maitreyee@surdhwani.org.uk

Notes to the Editor/s:

1) In the past, the award has been presented to resident as well as non-resident Indians and to a galaxy of achievers of extraordinary excellence in different fields of life. Past recipients of this most coveted Award include: the late Her Holiness Mother Teressa, Mr B.D. Jatti (former Vice President of India), Sir Michael Arther KCMG (former British High Commissioner in India), Baroness Shreela Flather JP DL FRSA, Mr Joginder Singh (former CBI director), Mr Parmjit Dhanda MP (Minister for Communities), the Rt Hon Lord Bikhu Parekh, the Rt Hon Lord Navnit Dholakia, the Rt Hon Lord Daljit Rana, the Rt Hon Lord Mohamed Iltaf Sheikh, famous cricket star Sunil Gavaskar, super movie stars, like Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna to name a few.

2) India International Friendship Society [IIFS] is an international organisation of global repute and influence. It represents the people of India , now nearing one billion living in India and lacs more in other countries and Non Indians of various nationalities, who support India . It espouses humanitarian causes, promotes universal brotherhood and especially works for India 's development by campaigning for and mobilising NRI and foreign investment in India .

This India International Friendship Society [IIFS] held its latest international conference on Saturday 28 th June 2008 at the Portman Hotel, Portman Sq, London , the world's biggest metropolis and epicentre of business, industry, finance, politics and culture. The main subject of the conference was “Global Participation In India's Economic Development.” The accent was laid on NRI investments, capital and skill. Top leaders, economists, entrepreneurs and high profile professionals addressed this unique assembly.

The conference was attended by the elite of Indian economy and polity and the NRI delegates from many countries around the globe. It was intended especially to project achievements of Indian Diaspora, which has made Mother India proud.

The finale of this historic international conference was marked by the presentation of the “Glory of India Award” to the resident as well as non resident Indians and to a galaxy of achievers of extra ordinary excellence in different fields of life, including business and industry, science & technology, medicine, architecture, engineering, administration, corporate management, education, literature and culture.