Four UAE-based expatriate Indian nationals have bagged the top titles at the 2018 NRI of the Year Awards, fighting off more than 11,500 global nominees, reports Khaleej Times.

Dubbed as heroes who have made their mark on foreign shores, Amiteash Paul, Jogiraj Sikidar, Vardaraj Shetty, and Prasanth Manghat live true to the phrase 'make India proud', and have been recognised for their significant contributions in keeping their Indian heritage alive, despite living away from home, Khaleej Times reported. 

Now in its fifth year, the NRI of the Year Awards, presented by Times Now, ICICI Bank and Global Indian International School, has so far awarded 15 Indian expatriates living in the UAE, with this year's accolades adding four more winning titles to the list, taking that number to 19, reports Khaleej Times.

A total of 22 NRIs were crowned for the 2018 edition Award. Of the five winners based in the Middle East, four of which are living in the UAE. Here, Khaleej Times speaks to the winners.