Sunday, February 20 2005 11:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader of Liberal Democrats Party in Britain's House of Lords, has been felicitated with the 'Pride of India' award for his outstanding contribution to the Indian community in the UK.

Besides Lord Dholakia, industrialist Gulam Noon and veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey were among prominent NRIs honoured for their achievements in various fields in the UK at a glittering ceremony in London last night (Feb 19, 2005).

The awards, instituted by the London-based India International Foundation, were presented by Indian High Commissioner Kamlesh Sharma at the first Annual Awards Ceremony of the Foundation in London.

Saaed Jaffrey, a veteran actor in Hindi, British and American cinema received the award in the 'Art and Culture' field.

Dr Kartar Lalvani, founder of Britain's first specialist vitamin supplement company -Vitabiotics, received the award for distinction in the field of science while Sir Gulam Noon, founder-chairman of readymade food Noon products, was chosen in the field of business and industry.

The High Commissioner commended the contributions made by persons of Indian origin to British society as well as to the land of their ancestors.

"The community of Indian origin in the United Kingdom can make creative and constructive contributions to developing bilateral relations between India and the UK," he said.