Hind Rattan

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Name of an award (Hindi: "Jewel of India", transliterated both as Hind Rattan and Hind Ratan) given yearly to about 30 members of the worldwide Indian diaspora (comprising the categories of both Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin) by the NRI Welfare Society of India, at a ceremony in connection with the yearly "International Congress of Non Resident Indians" (held since 1982) on and around the Indian Republic Day (January 26) in New Delhi; the number of awardees varies, and can sporadically be 50 or even more. Though awarded by a private organisation, the Hind Rattan carries much prestige, as evinced too by the association of prominent personalities — including present and past members of the Indian Government — not only with the award ceremony, but also with the advisory board of the Society itself. However, the award comes only with this honour, no financial benefits; to receive it, recipients have to bear their own expenses for coming to New Delhi and attending the congress mentioned above.

Website of the NRI Welfare Society of India: http://www.nriwelfaresociety.com