Dhaliwal Was Once Refused Admittance Because He Supported The Farmers’ Uprising; Now He Has Been Chosen For The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest award awarded by the Indian government for its settlers abroad, has been chosen for US-based billionaire Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, 71, who was refused entry to India for backing the farmers’ protest against the now-repealed three farm laws.
During the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which will be held in Indore from January 8 to 10, Dhaliwal, who moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the US in 1972 from Rakhra village near Patiala and controls the largest chain of gas stations nationwide, will be honored alongside 26 NRIs.
At the Singhu border, close to Delhi, Dhaliwal was managing langar (community kitchen) for protesting farmers. On October 23, 2021, he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, but immigration officers refused to let him in after questioning him for a long time. Dhaliwal claimed that his support for the farmers’ uprising led to the request that he return from the airport.
Dhaliwal was shocked when the prestigious award was announced.
In 12 US mid-west regions, he is involved in the real estate and fuel industries. Dhaliwal aims to collaborate closely with the Indian government after being selected for the prize in the Business and Community Welfare category.
Surjit Singh Rakhra, his brother back home and a former minister in the SAD-BJP government, expressed similar joy about his brother’s selection for the honor.
News Mania Desk
