Mr Tharoor said he was extremely honored to accept the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur
New Delhi:
Noted author and diplomat-turned-politician Shashi Tharoor was honored with France’s highest civilian award ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur’ at a ceremony here on Tuesday.
Tharoor, author of several books and Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, was honored with the prestigious award at the French Embassy by French Senate President Gerard Larcher. The French government had announced the award for former Union Minister Tharoor in August 2022, but he was given the award on Tuesday.
A statement issued by the French Embassy said, “The highest French civilian award comes in recognition of Dr. Tharoor’s tireless efforts to deepen India-France relations, commitment to international peace and cooperation and as a long-time friend of France Is.”
Presenting the honor to Mr Tharoor, President of the French Senate Larcher said, “Through his distinguished career as a diplomat, writer and politician, Shashi Tharoor has embraced the world with a thirst for knowledge and an intelligence that has led to He had to live many lives in one, and all of them in the service of India and a better world.” “Dr Tharoor is a true friend of France, a Francophone with a deep understanding of France and its culture. Through this award, which I have the privilege of presenting, the French Republic recognizes your achievements, your friendship, your devotion to France. Validates love.” Your commitment to a just world, Larcher said.
Receiving the honour, Mr Tharoor said he was extremely honored to receive the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour).
“As someone who admires France, its people, their sophistication, their language and their culture, especially their literature and cinema, I am deeply grateful to be awarded your country’s highest civilian honour.
Tharoor said, “In my view, the award of this award to an Indian is an acknowledgment of the depth of Franco-Indian relations and the continuity of the warmth that has long characterized this relationship.”
This honour, in a way, is not just a celebration of individual achievement but also reflects the “collective efforts of our two countries in promoting cultural exchanges and diplomatic relations, a relationship built on the pillars of mutual respect, admiration and cooperation.” Made through.” “This unique association has had the opportunity to flourish for years,” he said.
Tharoor said, “I look forward to my efforts towards nurturing this friendship and promoting further cooperation between India and France for the betterment of our shared global community and to safeguard the common values that underpin our basic humanity.” Looking forward to continuing.”
In his address, the Congress MP also recalled the defining moment of his visit to France in 2002 for the Belles Étrangers sponsored by the Center National du Livre.
He said, “Our group of Indian writers, returning from a reception at the majestic Hotel de Ville, found themselves attending a funeral procession in the lavishly illuminated Panthéon, more than a century after the death of the nineteenth-century novelist Alexandre Dumas. “Found a witness.” Was remembered.
Tharoor pointed out that the Roman columns of this great Paris monument were bathed in purple, red and blue light, a military band was playing outside, while an honor guard carried the coffin of the author of The Three Musketeers to his final resting place. Was.
“Ananthamurthy, the veteran novelist who was leading our group, said it straight to me. ‘The French,’ he said, really know how to respect their writers. Might I add now: me. Glad they are respecting our writers, too,” Tharoor said.
Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion d’Honneur is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients.
The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honour.
The event was attended by French ambassador to India Thierry Matthau, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant and Congress leader Anand Sharma, among others.
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