Barbados has conferred The Honorary Order of the Republic on Gurdip Bath, a person of Indian origin who is the Representative of St Kitts and Nevis,  for his role in arranging the logistics and facilitating the transportation of 100,000 vaccines from India to Barbados in February 2021 when the Caribbean nation was reeling from Covid-19.

The vaccines made at the Serum Institute of India in Pune had helped Barbados to commence its vaccination programme at a time when vaccines were in short supply worldwide and the Narendra Modi government had agreed to help needy friendly countries.

The order which comes into effect from Nov 30 and will accord Bath the title of “The Honourable” and he will also be entitled to use Sir before his name.

The announcement came along with honours conferred to other prominent personalities in Barbados and was widely reported in the country’s media.

Honorary Consul of India, Dr Philomena Ann Moline-Harris received the Order of the Republic for her contribution to medicine and service to the Indian community.