2-Jun-2019: Ex-President Pratibha Patil conferred Mexico’s highest civilian honour
India's former President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has been conferred the "Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca" (Order of the Aztec Eagle) - the highest civilian award of Mexico given to foreigners.
Ambassador of Mexico to India (Ms.) Melba Pria, presented the Mexico's civilian award on Patil -who was this country's first woman to become the first Head of State from 2007 to 2012), at a special ceremony held in the MCCIA Bhavan, Pune.
Mexico's highest civilian award for foreigners is in recognition of their outstanding services to the Mexican nation or humanity, significant contributions to strengthening the bilateral relations between Mexico and other countries.
The Royal Eagle is Mexico's national animal, sacred for the Aztec and it is present on the National Emblem of the Mexican flag. It is an essential symbol that links their Aztec past with the modern nation. It is of gold and turquoise and is given to express the respect and admiration of the Mexican people.
Created by a decree in 1933 by the then President of Mexico, Abelardo L. Rodriguez, it is awarded to prominent heads of state or government, ambassadors after they have served in Mexico and important personalities who have made major contribution in various fields, service to the country or its people.
The award comes in five degrees - Collar, Sash of Special Category, Sash, Plaque, Venera and Insignia.
Previous Indian recipients in various categories include Nobel laureate Prof. Amartya Sen, renowned artist Satish Gujral, industrialist Raghupati Singhania, Hon. Consul-General of Mexico in Mumbai Rajju Shroff and others.
21-May-2019: Shyam Saran to be conferred with Japan's 'Order of the Rising Sun' award
Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran will be conferred with Japan's second highest national award for his contributions to strengthen the strategic ties and enhancing mutual understanding between India and Japan.
The Government of Japan announced that in its 2019 Spring Imperial Decorations, it will confer 72-year-old Saran, 'the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star'.
Saran, who was India's Foreign Secretary during 2004-2006, has played an important role to elevate Japan-India relationship to strategic partnership. During his tenure, the then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited India for the first time in 5 years.
Saran's contributions in strengthening mutual understanding between Japan and India includes "India Festival", which was held in Japan in 1988, when he was Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of India in Japan.
Since 2017, Saran has been enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries, such as by hosting an "India-Japan Colloquium".
29-Apr-2017: Former Minister Ashwani Kumar to get Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
Former Union minister Ashwani Kumar has been selected by Japan for Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, for his contribution to strengthening of bilateral ties and promotion of friendship between the two countries.
The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest category of decorations among the Orders of the Rising Sun, is conferred in recognition of distinguished accomplishments of individuals.
The Presentation Ceremony for the Investiture of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun will be held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, when the foreign recipients will be given an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
About the Award: The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun. The design of the Rising Sun symbolizes energy as powerful as the rising sun in parallel with the "rising sun" concept of Japan ("Land of the Rising Sun").
The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment. Prior to the end of World War II, it was also awarded for exemplary military service. Beginning in 2003, the two lowest rankings(7th and 8th classes) for the Order of the Rising Sun were abolished, with the highest degree becoming a separate order known as the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, with the single rank of Grand Cordon.
While it is the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese government, it is however generally the highest ordinarily conferred order.
17-May-2019: UNDRR confers PM Modi’s Secretary with Sasakawa Award
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) honoured Dr Pramod Kumar Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the ‘Sasakawa Award 2019 for Disaster Risk Reduction’.
The award was announced during the 6th Session of ‘Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction’ (GPDRR) 2019, which is being held at Geneva, Switzerland.
The theme of the Sasakawa Award 2019 was ‘Building Inclusive and Resilient Societies’. Under this theme, the UNDRR received over 60 nominations from over 30 countries.
Mishra was awarded for his concentrated efforts and dedication towards serving the communities that are most exposed to disasters. He has selflessly worked to the cause of social inclusion to reduce inequality and poverty, ultimately benefitting the socially and economically marginalised in the country.
Other winners of 2019 Sasakawa Award
- Sidnei Furtado, Director of Department of Civil Defence, Campinas, Brazil
- Bijal Brahmbhatt, Director of the Mahila Housing SEWA Trust of India
The Sasakawa Award is the most prestigious award of the United Nations in the area of Disaster Risk Management. Instituted 30 years back, the award is jointly organised by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Nippon Foundation. The winners of the award can be either organisations or individuals who are bestowed with a grant of USD 50000 as the award prize.