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Awards, World Affairs
Mahesh

17/07/23 07:10 AM IST

PM Modi conferred with France’s highest award

In News
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made history as the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the prestigious Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian and military honor.
About the Award
  • The Legion of Honor is the reward for “outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation in a civilian or military capacity.
  • Foreigners may be decorated with the Legion of Honor if they have rendered services (e.g. cultural or economic) to France or supported causes defended by France, such as human rights, freedom of the press, or humanitarian action.
  • State visits are also an occasion for conferring the Legion of Honor upon official figures, pursuant to diplomatic reciprocity and thereby supporting the foreign policy of France.
  • The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour represents the highest level of distinction bestowed by France.
  • It is a symbol of exceptional merit and recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to society, diplomacy, arts, or the military.
  • Prime Minister Modi joins the ranks of prominent world leaders who have received this prestigious award, including Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, and Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany.
  • The award is a red ribbon and a badge – a five-armed Maltese asterisk hung on an oak and laurel wreath.
  • On the obverse is the effigy of the Republic and on the reverse two tricolour flags and the inscription of the Order’s motto “Honour and Fatherland” and the date of its creation 19 May 1802 written in French.
  • The award does not include any financial benefit.
The Legion of Honour
  • Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honour is a distinguished order divided into five classes.
  • The ribbon of the Legion is red, and the badge features a five-armed Maltese asterisk suspended on an oak and laurel wreath.
  • While membership is primarily reserved for French nationals, foreign nationals who have served France or promoted its ideals may also receive this distinction.
  • On average, 2200 French and 300 foreigners are decorated each year. More than 79,000 people have received the award so far.
  • Three founding principles, which are the hallmark of the vitality of the Legion of Honour, are rewarding individual merit, universal recognition and contribution to the public good, which will benefit society and not in their exclusive interest.
  • The award has been received by only a handful of leaders across the world.
  • They include former South African president Nelson Mandela, King Charles, when he was the Prince of Wales, former German chancellor Angela Merkel, former United Nations secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Prime Minister Modi’s International Accolades
  • The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour is one of several top international awards and honors bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi.
  • He has been recognized by various countries, including Russia, Maldives, UAE, and Afghanistan, for his significant contributions to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting peace, diplomacy, and development.
  • Most recently, he was given the Order of the Nile by Egypt in June 2023, Companion of the Order of Logohu by Papua New Guinea in May 2023, Companion of the Order of Fiji in May.
Source- Indian Express

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