Shashi Tharoor receives France's highest civilian award

Shashi Tharoor has received France's highest civilian award, "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur" by the French Government. The ceremony took place at the French Embassy in India. French Senate President Gerard Larcher honored the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram.

The Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It is France’s highest civilian award that acknowledges extraordinary accomplishments and services rendered to France. It covers contributions in arts, literature, science, and public service, among others.

Gerard Larcher highlighted Tharoor's impressive career and his dedication to fostering a better world.

The French Embassy in India mentioned, “The award recognizes his (Shashi Tharoor’s) tireless efforts to deepen 🇮🇳🇫🇷 ties, commitment to international peace & cooperation, and deep knowledge of French language & culture.”

"Through his outstanding career as a diplomat, author and politician, Shashi Tharoor has embraced the world with a thirst for knowledge and an intelligence that has led him to live several lifetimes in one, and all of them in service to India and a better world," Larcher said.

Dr @ShashiTharoor awarded "Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur" by French Senate Chairman @gerard_larcher.

The award recognizes his tireless efforts to deepen 🇮🇳🇫🇷 ties, commitment to international peace & cooperation, and deep knowledge of French language & culture. pic.twitter.com/a2IKJRfPMM

— French Embassy in India 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinIndia) February 21, 2024

"Dr Tharoor is also a true friend of France, a Francophone with a keen understanding of France and its culture. Through this award, which I have the privilege to confer, the French Republic recognizes your accomplishments, your friendship, your love of France, your commitment to a fairer world," Larcher said.

Tharoor expressed his gratitude while receiving the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur.

"To my mind, the conferral of this award to an Indian is an acknowledgement of the deepening of Franco-Indian relations and the continuity of the warmth that has been a feature of this relationship for a very long time," Tharoor said.

Indians who have received Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur in the past: