Frank Islam, a prominent Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist has been awarded the inaugural UP Ratna award.
The award will be given by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the inaugural UP Pravasi Diwas in Agra on January 4.
The UP Ratna award has been instituted to recognise the achievements and outstanding contributions of NRIs who hail from Uttar Pradesh.
Mr Islam, an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has supported a number of civic, educational and artistic causes and institutions in UP.
Earlier this year, the foundation started by Mr Islam and his wife, Debbie Driesman – the Frank Islam and Debbie Driesman Foundation – pledged $2 million to AMU for the construction of a new school of management at the 140-year-old institution.
Mr Islam came to the US in the early 1970s to study at University of Colorado. He founded an information technology company, the QSS Company, in 1994 with him as the sole employee.