Ashraf | |
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Born | 1974 Thamarassery Wayanad district |
Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Social worker |
Known for | Social activism |
Awards |
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Ashraf Thamarassery (born 1974) is an Indian social worker based in Dubai. His work has primarily focused on bringing the bodies of Indian nationals back to India after dying abroad.
He was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman [3] in 2015 by Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India, for his social works and efforts. The Kerala state government nominated him for Padma Shr, the fourth highest civilian award in India. [4] He is a member of Loka Kerala Sabha. Filmmaker Reshel Shah Kapoor produced a six-minute documentary focused on Ashraf, titled ‘The Undertaker. [5] [6]
Ashraf Thamarassery was born in 1974 in Wayanad district, Kerala.
Ashraf has helped about 5,000 families from around the world to fly the bodies of their loved ones who died overseas. [7] [8] [9] [10] He was involved with the repatriation of actress Sridevi’s body, which was found in Dubai in 2018. [11] [12] [13]
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is the highest Indian award for Overseas Indians or an organisation or institution established and run by Overseas Indian diaspora, constituted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India in conjunction with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, to honour exceptional and meritorious contribution in their chosen field/profession. The award is given by the President of India. Since 2016, the Government of India has doubled the number of awardees each year to 30 after a decision to grant the award once every two years.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a celebratory day observed on 9 January by the Republic of India to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community towards the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) was a ministry of the Government of India. It was dedicated to all matters relating to the Indian diaspora around the world.
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