(Image source from: Indo American News)
An Indian-origin philanthropist has received NRI (Non-Resident Indian) of the year award 2018 which is organized by Times Now, India's leading news channel network form the Times Network and ICICI Bank.
The 5th edition of NRI of the year awards took place in Mumbai. The Awards salute the spirit of global Indians who have been an inspiration and made a mark for themselves worldwide.
Dr. Manu Vora has received award in category from North America (other two winners were from Middle East and UK & Europe) for his 30 years of dedicated service to Blind Foundation for India (BFI) and five years of free gift of knowledge transfer project using technology to empower youth and professionals in India with soft skills and quality management knowledge.
From 11,500 entries, total 23 awards were presented including five in Academics, four in Art & Culture, four in Entrepreneur, three in Philanthropy, four in Professional, one in Start-Up, one for India's Global Icon - Sports, and one Special Jury Award amidst a glittering evening.
Since 1989, Dr. Vora is the Founder Director and President of BFI. His team has raised over $4 million to aid over one million visually impaired people in India. The mission of BFI is to prevent and cure blindness, educate and rehabilitate permanently blind people in India.
So far, BFI has supported over 200,000 free Cataract operations, donated 128 Mobile Vans for transport of eye doctors and patients, distributed 10,000 Braille Kits to blind children for their education, and checked eyesight of 900,000 school children and provided necessary interventions such as free eye drops, Vitamin A, glasses, or Cataract operations as needed.
He has delivered over 770 presentations globally and published over 70 scholarly articles.
He has received 35 awards/honors for his life-long community service including United States President's Volunteer Service Award and 52 awards/honors for his prominent professional service.
By Sowmya Sangam
