Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji (centre, front row), awardees and relevant officials gather for a group photo.

India’s highest honour given to first Lao national of Indian origin

The first Lao national of Indian origin Soukthavy Chowdhury, Chairman and Managing Director of the HSMM Group of Companies, has been bestowed with India’s prestigious Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award this year, underscoring his bold contributions and achievements as part of the Indian diaspora.
The businessman received this Award at the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas held in Odisha, India on January 9.
Pravasi Bhartiya Samman is India’s highest honour recognising the contributions and achievements of the Indian diaspora, and is awarded by the President of India.

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji presents an award to the Chairman and Managing Director of the HSMM Group of Companies, Mr Soukthavy Chowdhury, in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (left).

Mr Chowdhury received the distinguished decoration from the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, on January 9 for his pioneering contribution in promoting business opportunities in Laos through his various entrepreneurial ventures and enhancing India-Laos partnership.
“I feel extremely honoured and grateful to have received the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award 2025 for the business sector. It is truly motivating and a great feeling to be acknowledged by the Government of India. A memory I will cherish for a lifetime. I would also like to extend my congratulations to all the awardees from the Indian diaspora, wishing them more success to come in the future,” Mr Chowdhury said.
The business executive expressed his deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji, Minister of External Affairs Shri S. Jaishankar ji, CM of Odisha Shri Mohan Charan Majhi ji, MOS/EA Shri Pabitra Margherita ji, other esteemed dignitaries and the beautiful State of Odisha for their hospitality and for hosting the event.
Ambassador of India to Laos, Mr Prashant Agrawal and Team India in Laos have conveyed warm congratulations to him on the Award.
The award highlighted Mr Soukthavy’s business success and contributions.

His HSMM Group of Companies operates a wide range of businesses from agarwood oil extraction facilities, agarwood plantations, mining, information technology, perfume and fragrances and agarwood trading.
Established in 1998, the conglomerate is a pioneer of the Lao perfume industry with the launch of Laos’ first fragrance brand and exports to many countries, including China, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf countries.
Addressing the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas event under the theme “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”, President Murmu highlighted the important role of the Indian diaspora, saying they are integral to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Noting that India’s vision aligns with its growing stature on the world stage, particularly as a leading voice for the Global South, the leader called for “proactive and enthusiastic participation” of all Indians, including the diaspora, for achieving it, according to the Indian Express.
This vision is about creating an ecosystem that not only meets India’s needs but also contributes to global well-being, she said, adding, “The Indian diaspora is an integral part of this vision.”
“Your global presence gives you a unique perspective and your achievements place you in a position to significantly contribute to the realisation of a developed India,” the Indian Express quoted President Murmu as saying.
“The diaspora, whether through entrepreneurship, philanthropy, or knowledge-sharing, will play an essential role in achieving this vision,” she added.
The news agency quoted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as saying that India at present approaches the world with the twin perspectives of “India First” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the World is One Family)”.
“When India progresses, so does one-sixth of humanity. When we do global good, our own people stand equally to gain. This is now an era of greater inter-dependence… In many ways, it is the diaspora that will help define our image as a resurgent civilisation,” he was quoted as saying.
Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is celebrated on January 9 to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India.
Constituted in 2003, it is celebrated once every two years to recognise the contributions and strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their cultural roots.
The 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas was celebrated in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 15, 2025)