The Government of India has honoured Ramesh Chotai with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, highest civilian award bestowed upon overseas Indians.
The President of India His Excellency Hon. Ram Nath Kovind presented Mr. Chotai with the award on January 23, 2019 in Varanasi on the concluding day of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual conglomeration of the Indian diaspora.
India’s Minister of External Affairs, Hon. Sushma Swaraj; the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Hon. Yogi Adityanath; and the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Hon. Ram Naik, were present at the award presentation ceremony.
“I am delighted and humbled to receive the Parvasi Bharati Saman from the President of India, H.E Ram Nath Kovind ji. I am very thankful to the community and particularly to my wife Krishna Chotai, a woman who stood beside me in this journey of community service,” Mr. Chotai said upon receiving the honour.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Overseas Indian Honour/Award) is an award constituted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India in conjunction with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day), to honour exceptional and meritorious contribution in their chosen field/profession. The Award carries a bilingual Sanad under the hand and the seal of the President of India in addition to a citation and a gold medallion.
Mr. Ramesh Chotai, received the honour in category of philanthropy, business and promoting Canada – India relations.
He is the President of Bromed Pharmaceuticals.
He pursued his education as Pharmacist in the UK and Switzerland and joined ICI Pharmaceuticals in Kampala, Uganda.
He came to Canada in 1972. Starting as a Pharmacist/Manager at an Oshawa Pharmacy, he has built a successful group of companies that manufactures and distributes medical and healthcare products around the world.
His company Bromed Pharmaceuticals became one of the leading Pharmaceuticals company, bringing employment to several individuals and becoming one of the leaders in pharmaceutical formulation technology.
Mr. Chotai is a co-founder of Canada India Foundation (CIF) and under the auspice of CIF many successfully entrepreneurs joined to champion the bi-lateral trade relations and sector-based public policies between Canada and India.
Mr. Chotai was CIF’s Chair during 2009-2011 and under his leadership, many strategic initiatives were organized such as Canada India Energy Forum and Canada India Mining and Metals Forum. He was also member of two delegations led by Premiers of Ontario to India. He was also the Co-chair of Canada India Health Care Summit which was held both in Canada and India.
Community builder and a philanthropist, he is the past President of the Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre. Mr. Chotai is the Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Museum of Indian Civilization, President of Vraj Canada Community Centre and Canada Serves, and a former President and an Advisory Board Member of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. He has received many awards from the Government of Ontario and various community organizations.
In 2001, Mr. Chotai was instrumental to raise $1.6 million in three weeks for Gujrat Earthquake relief and it created a partnership with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to match $3.2 million to build 802 homes, 32 schools, 4 community center and 4 medical mobile clinics in the earthquake-ravaged areas in Gujarat.
The Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award is a well-deserved recognition for Mr Chotai’s decades of service to the community.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Ramesh Chotai on receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, India’s highest civilian award. 
I extend my heartiest congratulations to Ramesh Chotai for having been awarded the prestigious Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award by the Government of India.
My heartiest congratulations to Mr. Ramesh Chotai on being conferred the well-deserved Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, by the Hon’ble President of India, on 23 January 2019. The conferment of the Award on Mr. Chotai recognises his contribution to the Indo-Canadian community activities.
Presented to Mr. Ramesh Chotai for your continuous community service as community builder and a philanthropist. As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga – Malton, I am pleased to extend my heartiest congratulations on getting the Government of India’s highest civilian award – the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (Overseas Indian Recognition Award), another feather in your cap. Best of success for future endeavours.