Washington: Four non-resident Indians (NRIs) and 18 others will be conferred with "outstanding and inspiring leadership awards" announced by the Consulate General of India in Chicago to commemorate India's 54th Republic Day.

Mohanbir Sawhney from the Kellogg School of Management, Raghuram G Rajan from University of Chicago, Raju G C Thomas from the Marquette University and Darsh Wasan from the Illionis Institute of Technology will receive the award for academic leadership, a release from the Consulate General said.

US Congressman and human rights activist Jesse Jackson, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Congressman Henry Hyde, Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations will receive the award for political leadership.

The awards, to be presented at the James Allen Centre on February 10, mark the deepening goodwill and friendship between the US and India, the release said.

The occasion will also mark the launch of the US-India Chamber of Commerce of the Mid West to promote trade and business between Mid Western region of the US and India.

The Chamber will represent nine states of the Mid West – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

PTI