New Delhi : Telecom czar Sam Pitroda, economist Jagdish Bhagwati, Hollywood filmmaker Manoj Night Shyamalan and novelist Vikram Seth were among 15 overseas Indians to be honored by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Mumbai on Jan. 9.

They were scheduled to be conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2005 at the country’s annual event to connect with its vast diaspora, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, from Jan. 7-9.

The awards given annually to eminent nonresident Indians and persons of Indian origin (PIOs) for their meritorious contribution in different walks of life. Announcing the awardees selected by a jury chaired by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat here on Jan. 4, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Jagdish Tytler said the list includes Fijian golfer of Indian origin Vijay Singh.

Others include Hong Kong businessman M. Arunachalam, South African leaders Amina Cachalia and Ahmed Kathrada, Tanzanian leader J.K. Chande, German litterateur Alokeranjan Dasgupta, Philippines-based scientist Sant S. Virmani, Trinidad and Tobago’s opposition leader Basdeo Panday, Britain-based political thinker Lord Bhiku Chhotalal Parekh, U.S.-based political scientist Sunil Khilnani and businessman from United Arab Emirates, Yousaf Ali M.A.