Shri. M.A.Yusuffali, Director, Norka-Roots has been honoured with Padmasri – the prestigious civilian award by the government of India. He is the first Middle East-based NRI to receive the honour.
Padma Sri is given to India citizens in recognition of their distinguished contribution to the society.

Shri. M.A.Yusuff Ali, managing director of Emke Group and board member of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry ranks among the top NRI business personalities around the world today. The group has a very vast organisational structure of 18,000 employees out of which more than 13,000 are Indians. The group is an Indian-owned conglomerate employing the highest number of Indians outside India.
Yusuff Ali is closely involved with many social, charitable and humanitarian activities, both in India as well as in the Gulf countries. He plays a vital role in fostering the interests of non-resident Indians and keeping intact the communal harmony among the NRIs in the Gulf.
His earnest and dedicated efforts have helped in securing cremation grounds for Hindus and free land for Christians to construct churches. He is the chief patron of Indian Islamic Centre in the UAE, and is playing a great role in the construction of Indian Islamic Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Shri.Yusuff Ali is the chairman of the board of governors of India Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi, which is currently constructing the biggest social centre in the Gulf, costing over Rs50 crore. In recognition of his efforts in promoting communal harmony and humanitarian activities, he was conferred with the title ‘Commander’ by Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka II was, the supreme head of the universal Syrian Orthodox Church. It was the first time that a person belonging to a different community had been conferred with this title.
In addition ‘The Order of St George’ was bestowed on him by Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, the Catholicose of the East and the Malankara Metropolitan, supreme head of Malankara Orthodox Church.
He was also honoured with the title ‘The Commander’ by Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) in recognition of the services rendered to the Indian community in the UAE.
The government of India has honoured him with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest Indian government award bestowed on non-resident Indians. He was also the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Award for his contribution as an NRI businessman in furthering India’s bilateral ties with the Middle East and for generating the highest employment opportunities for Indians abroad.
Lately, he was conferred with the Asian Business Leader of the Year award. In addition to national and international awards, Shri.Yusuff Ali had been honoured with many awards in his home state Kerala: ‘P.V. Sami Memorial Award’, ‘Janab Mohammed Abdul Rehman Sahib Memorial Award’, ‘Sri Chithira Thirunal Maharaja Award’ are a few to name.