The former Prime Minister of Fiji and Leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Shri Mahendra Chaudhary receiving "Pravasi
Bhartiya Samman" from the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Overseas Indian Affairs Shri Jagdish Tytler in New
Delhi.
NEW DELHI: Mahendra Pal Chaudhary, the former Fijian prime minister of Indian origin, was given an official award for
his services.
At a simple ceremony in Delhi, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler handed the award to
Chaudhary, a member of Fiji's parliament who was ousted from the office of prime minister during a coup in the South
Pacific island nation in 2000.
"Chaudhary is recognised for his service in the cause of the diaspora and for promoting Indian values, culture and
tradition abroad," Krishna Kumar, secretary for overseas Indian affairs, said while reading out the citation.
"He has a long and distinguished career in trade union movement and is credited with initiating measures that relate to
pay and working conditions in the public service," Kumar said.
Chaudhary traces his origins to Haryana, India.
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