Zee TV and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra received the $50,000 Global Indian Award from the Canada-India Foundation in Toronto in April. The award was presented by Canada's Investment Minister Navdeep Bains at a glittering gala attended by top leaders.

In his acceptance speech, Chandra said it was "really a humbling experience". He said he was accepting this award from the Indian diaspora despite his decision 10 years ago to reject the Indian Government's Padma award for promoting Indian culture worldwide.

The TV mogul said: "I was just doing my duty to my motherland to take Indian culture around the globe." He said "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam -- the world is one family" was his motto behind promoting Indian culture by launching channels to cater to Arabic, Russian, German, Portuguese, French and Spanish speakers around the world.

Welcoming Chandra to Canada, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said the Canadian award for him was an indication of deepening ties between the two countries. Canada-India Foundation chairman Ajit Someshward said: "This award is open to any Indian who has made us global Indians proud. Subhash Chandra has made us proud by taking Indian culture globally through his TV network."

The Canada-India Foundation, which promotes participation by Indian-Canadians in public policy and politics, has given this award in the past to late former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, telecom pioneer Sam Pitroda, Ratan Tata and Deepak Chopra. Chandra donated his award money to Eklavya schools which provide education to India's poor in far-flung areas of the country.