Russian Biographical Institute called President of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamian a laureate of "Man of the Year -2001" national premium. Ara Abrahamian is awarded the premium in the sphere of political activity "for prominent contribution to strengthening the civil society of Russia. "According to the information provided by "Arminfo" agency, other three persons were included in the list of the laureates in the political sphere - Russian President Vladimir Putin, Plenipotentiary representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District Georgy Poltavchenko and Chairman of the Committee on budget of Russian Federation State Duma Aleksandr Zhukov. The Russian Biographical Institute was founded in 1993 for studying the Russian elite. The Institute determines the best in the nominations of "Man of the Year" and "Best Governors of the Year", and awards Silver Cross and "Man of the Year" diploma.