Mauritian Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth, former Commonwealth secretary-general Sridath Ramphal, British MP Navneet Dholakia and McKinsey partner Rajat Gupta are among those to be honoured by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a convention of non-resident Indians and persons of Indian origin in New Delhi on January 9.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman jury, headed by Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, had taken a decision to this effect, Secretary in the external affairs ministry J C Sharma said.

Other PIOs who will be honoured are Ujjal Dosanjh, former premier of British Columbia (Canada), D Samy Vellu, a Malaysian minister, Professor Fatima Mir, well-known freedom fighter from South Africa, Manubhai Chanderia, businessman and philanthropist from Kenya, Hari Lila, businessman from Hong Kong and Kanakbhai Khemji, a businessman in Oman.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is being organised in recognition of the constructive, political and philanthropic role played by the Indian diaspora.

The day marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi, himself a non-resident Indian in South Africa for almost two decades, to India to lead the freedom struggle.

The main objectives are to understand the sentiments of NRIs and PIOs about the country and create a policy framework for a sustained and productive interaction.

It also aims at creating a network of the Indian diaspora across 110 countries and recognise the contribution made by this segment towards improving India's relationship with the host countries.