Indian origin New Zealand couple to get royal honours for IT services

A 'pucca Mumbaikar' Sunit Prakash and his Gujarat-rooted wife Lalita Kasanji both dual New Zealand-Australia citizens - have been selected for the 'Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit' honour for services to the Information Technology industry and the Indian diaspora there.

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The Royal honours similar to India’s top Padma national awards will soon be conferred on the Indian origin couple by New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, the representative of King Charles III of the United Kingdom. New Zealand recognises the British monarch as its head of state.

The broad group of awards called New Zealand Order of Merit was instituted by a Royal Warrant issued by then British monarch Queen Elizabeth II on May 30, 1996.

The recipients of the Order are those “who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits”, according to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, New Zealand.

The Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit is one of the levels of the coveted awards.

Since 1996, NZ has bestowed a similar honour on only 15 IT wizards, but this is the first time it has gone to members of the Indian community.

"We are thrilled by this recognition," said a joyful Prakash, 63, in an informal telephonic chat with UNI.