January 9, 2012 The Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Dr Wilfred Mesquita who is attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Kochi Kerala alongwith Shri P. Mathew Samuel, Secretary (NRI Affairs) and Shri U. D. Kamat, Director for NRI Affairs congratulated Mrs Patricia Rozario on behalf of Chief Minister and the people of Goa for receiving the award at the hands of his Excellency, the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee for her outstanding achievement which make Goans proud.
It is for the first time in the last 11 years ever since Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention are being organized from the year 2003, that a Goan recommended by the Govt. of Goa has been awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2013.
The Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Parrikar set up a special committee headed by the Commissioner for NRI Affairs Dr. Wilfred Mesquita to select a Goan candidate of international recognition to be recommended to the Government of India for the highest award bestowed on Overseas Indians as part of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention organized annually since 2003. The other members of the Committee were economist Prof. M.S. Kamat and Acting Vice Chancellor of Goa University Prof. A,V. Afonso.
