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Montek Singh conferred 'Sikh of the
Year' 2008 award
WSN Network
 London:
Of perhaps the most quick recall Sikh faces in
India,
PM Manmohan Singh and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission,
Montek Singh Ahluwalia are undisputed top rankers. Now, Ahluwalia,
often seen as the less talked about, less seen but more influential
pioneer of the country's economic renaissance, has been conferred
with the coveted 'Sikh of the Year' award for his outstanding
contributions to the growth of modern Indian economy.
He received the
award from Viscount Slim, a pro-India cross bench peer, at a gala
dinner organised by the 'Sikh Forum International' at the glittering
Great Hall in Honourable Society of Lincoln's
Inn here.
Recognising his
achievements and various impressive positions he held at the World
Bank and later with the government of
India, the
citation recalled:
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Ahlualia
releases book on Sikhism
Dr Montek
Singh Ahluwalia launched a publication "The Granth as the
Eternal Guru", brought out by the Sikh Forum International.
In addition,
Dr Rami Ranger, a leading NRI entrepreneur, presented "Don't
Break Up India", a biography by his father, Shaheed Nanak Singh
to Dr Ahluwalia.
A host of
dignitaries including Indian High Commissioner to UK, Shiv
Shankar Mukherjee, Lord Khalid Hameed, Lord Navnit Dholakia, OBE,
Lord Falconer, Lord Griffiths, Lord Hannay, Lord John Stevens,
Lord Sheikh, Baroness Verma and Judge Mota Singh (Retd) QC
attended the function.
President of
the Sikh Forum International, Ranjit Singh, OBE presented a
cheque for 32,000 pounds to the Prince's Trust. |
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"Sixty-years
after independence,
India is
delivering on it's promise and it is the likes of Dr Montek Singh
Ahluwalia that are now allowing us to say 'Mera Bharat Mahan' - My
India is Great."
In his
acceptance speech, Ahluwalia said it's an honour to receive such a
prestigious award. "It is a special privilege to come to the
Lincoln's Inn to
receive the Award."
"It is rather
nice that the Forum has given the award to someone from
India.
I have a small role in the whole process of what is taking place in
India - the change in the economic scenario," Ahluwalia said.
He also
attributed the economic success to the leadership of Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh who had taken the initiative in 1991 when he was the
Finance Minister. "It is Dr Manmohan Singh who set
India on a
completely different path - upward path. In the last four years,
India had registered a growth of 9 per cent and I am confident that
despite the ongoing global financial crisis, the country would fare
better than many others," he said.
"Our growth will
be not less than 7 per cent."
He also lauded
the achievements of Indian diaspora in their efforts and asked the
NRI community to invest more and more in India.High Commissioner
Mukherjee, on the occasion, said even in 1991 Dr Ahluwalia as
Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, had played a crucial role
in architecting the modern Indian economy.
26 November
2008
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