Jawahar Lal Sarin presented with France’s highest civilian honour

Renowned French scholar Jawahar Lal Sarin was presented with France’s highest civilian honour Chevalier de la Lgion d’Honneur. He was presented with this award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to enhancing Indo-French cultural cooperation and promoting French language. Jawahar Lal Sarin is president of Alliance franaise de Delhi’s governing body. He had studied French for five years at the Punjab University, Chandigarh, and later at the Sorbonne University, Paris.

Legion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour)

It is the highest civilian award given by the French government to person for his outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality. It was instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. The order (merit for both military and civil merits) is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand officier (Grand Officer), and Grand-croix (Grand Cross). Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan were also awarded in 2007 and 2014. Other Indians who were also awarded are Amartya Sen, Ravi Shankar, Zubin Mehta, Lata Mangeshkar, JRD Tata and Ratan Tata among others.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2018