Dr Syed Anwar Khursheed honoured with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2025-01-14T11:15:22+05:30 | Updated On 14 Jan 2025 11:45 AM IST

Delhi: Dr Syed Anwar Khursheed, a distinguished Indian physician who dedicated more than four decades of his career to serving in Saudi Arabia, has been honoured with the esteemed Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. This prestigious recognition, the highest honour conferred by the President of India on overseas Indians, was presented to Dr Khursheed on Friday.

Hailing from Gulbarga city in Karnataka, Dr. Khursheed is regarded as one of the longest-serving Indian physicians in Saudi Arabia. Throughout his distinguished career, he has made substantial contributions to healthcare, education, and community welfare.

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Dr Khursheed spent 30 years at King Faisal Hospital in Taif and nearly a decade as a Royal Protocol physician in Riyadh. His expertise and leadership were pivotal during the COVID-19 response and in overseeing critical care operations. He has also been deeply involved in providing medical assistance to Hajj pilgrims, ensuring their health and safety during the annual pilgrimage.

Beyond his medical achievements, Dr. Khursheed has been a cornerstone of the Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia. He founded the International Indian School in Taif and has played a vital role in guiding the establishment of other schools to cater to the educational needs of Indian families in the region. Dr. Khursheed further expressed excitement about meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and receiving the award from the President, calling it a great honor. Dr. Khursheed is among 27 recipients of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, and the only one based in Saudi Arabia.

While speaking with ANI, Dr Khursheed said, "Community services also include medical services. As I was working in King Faisal Hospital, Taif, I had the privilege to help people... Then I moved to National Guard Hospital, Riyadh. I am the Royal Protocol physician there, which is a great privilege for me to work for the royal family in Saudi Arabia."

He added, "From the beginning till now, I have been very well connected with the Consulate and the Embassy of India. I feel that when the community members work hand in hand with the Embassy, great results come out. Today, I am excited to meet PM Narendra Modi, and tomorrow, we'll receive the award from the President. It is a great honour..."

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While congratulating the doctor, Suhel Ajaz Khan, India’s ambassador to the Kingdom, told Arab News, “Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed is a distinguished physician with 45 years of experience in public health care and is one of the longest-serving physicians in the government sector. Having spent three decades at the King Faisal Hospital, he was a part of the Medical Protocol Department of the Royal Saudi Family for eight years. He also oversaw critical care operations in the Hajj program at Minah and Arafat.”

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. PBSA is conferred by the Hon’ble 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.

Pravasi Bharatiya SammanSaudi Arabia doctorDr Syed Anwar Khursheed

Source : with inputs

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.