A Tempe restaurant owner has been awarded the 2017 Arizona Diversity Council’s DiversityFirst Award.

The honor was given in recognition of Raveen Arora’s outreach to others in the neighborhood and beyond.

Arora is the owner of The Dhaba and has been called an advocate of diversity and inclusion by Dennis Kennedy, founder and chairman of the National Diversity Council, according to a press release.

Criteria for the award included raising issues of diversity, protecting human and civil rights, developing measures to fight discrimination and helping create positive conversations between those of different backgrounds.

Part of Arora’s inspiration to make a difference comes from working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta slums while he was growing up in his homeland of India.

His work helping refugees from Tibet, as well as work in refugee camps and clinics in 1971 when there were hostilities between India and Pakistan, were among the reasons cited for giving the award to Arora.

“I firmly believe that diversity is not just a feel-good or look good activity, but a human lens for seeking, identifying and promoting talent,” Arora said in the release.

He added that his mantra has been “listen, talk and connect.”

The award will be handed out during a luncheon on Oct. 5.