The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Shashi Tharoor, an acclaimed author and diplomat-turned-politician, has been bestowed with France’s highest civilian honor, the “Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur.” The award ceremony took place at the French Embassy on Tuesday, where Tharoor was honored by French Senate President Gerard Larcher. The French government had announced this prestigious recognition for Tharoor, a former Union minister and current Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, in August 2022.
The French Embassy issued a statement highlighting that Tharoor’s award was in recognition of his persistent efforts to strengthen Indo-French ties, his commitment to international peace and cooperation, and his longstanding friendship with France. Larcher, in his address, praised Tharoor for his remarkable career as a diplomat, author, and politician, and for living a life dedicated to the service of India and the betterment of the world.
Tharoor, in his acceptance speech, expressed deep honor and humility in receiving France’s highest civilian honor. He acknowledged the award as a testament to the growing Franco-Indian relations and the historical warmth shared between the two nations. Tharoor emphasized that the honor celebrated not just his individual achievements but also symbolized the collective efforts of both countries in fostering cultural exchange and diplomatic ties.
The Congress MP also reminisced about a significant moment during his French trip in 2002, witnessing the interment of the nineteenth-century novelist Alexandre Dumas in the Pantheon, Paris. He admired the French way of honoring their literary figures and expressed gratitude for their recognition of Indian writers.
The Legion d’honneur, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is the most prestigious French award given for outstanding service to France, irrespective of the recipient’s nationality. The President of the French Republic serves as the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honour. The ceremony was attended by notable personalities, including French envoy to India Thierry Mathou, India’s G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant, and Congress leader Anand Sharma. This honor underscores Tharoor’s significant contributions to the cultural and diplomatic relationship between India and France.