Three Indian Americans—Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal, Sharmila Ford, and Ravi Kumar—along with 24 other Diaspora members from around the world, have been selected to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), the highest honor bestowed upon overseas Indians.

The awards will be conferred by the President of India during the Valedictory Session of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrations. This year’s PBD Convention is scheduled to take place from January 8–10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal

Based in Irving, Texas, Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist who has been part of Rheumatology Associates since 1987.

He is also a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at the UT Southwestern Medical Center and an investigator at the Metroplex Clinical Research Center in Dallas, where he has contributed to hundreds of clinical trials.

A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Lakhanpal has delivered medical and other lectures across the globe.

He also served as the 2017 President of the American College of Rheumatology.

Sharmila Ford 

A dedicated member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Sharmila Ford is recognized for her exceptional service to the community and her commitment to preserving Bengali culture in the United States. Married to Alfred Ford, the great-grandson of automotive pioneer Henry Ford, she has played a key role in supporting ISKCON’s global initiatives. Notably, she has been an advocate for transformative projects such as the Chandrodaya Temple in Mayapur, India, helping to foster stronger ties between the U.S. and India.

Ravi Kumar 

As the CEO of Cognizant, Kumar is responsible for shaping the company’s strategic vision, fostering a client-first culture, and ensuring sustainable growth while driving long-term shareholder value. A seasoned executive in the services industry, Kumar has expertise in digital transformation, traditional technology and engineering services, data and analytics, cloud infrastructure, and consulting.

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