French President Emmanuel Macron confers the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor on PM Modi (PC: Twitter/MEA)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, on July 13 by Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France.
On the occasion, the Indian prime minister thanked President Macron for this singular honour on behalf of the people of India. The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
In a tweet, Modi said: “It is with great humility that I accept the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. This is an honour for the 140 crore people of India. I thank President @EmmanuelMacron, the French Government and people for this gesture. It shows their deep affection towards India and resolve for furthering friendship with our nation.”
India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar in a tweet said: “The conferring of the ‘Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor' on PM @narendramodi is a recognition of his commitment to India-France ties.”
“It also reflects his international standing and contribution to addressing key global issues. Join in extending best wishes to PM @narendramodi whose leadership in world affairs is an inspiration for so many,” he said.
“Congratulations to PM @narendramodi ji on being conferred with the highest honour of France, the 'Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour '. Proud moment for all of us as this yet another recognition of the acceptance of PM Modi as a world leader, working relentlessly towards global peace,” MoS for foreign affairs Meenakshi Lekhi said.
Let’s know about the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour in details:--
- The Legion of Honour is the highest French decoration given to the most deserving citizens in all fields of activity.
- The award is being conferred to prominent personalities for two centuries.
- It was established by former French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. The Legion of Honour is divided into five degrees (lower to higher) – Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross.
- The prime minister, Narendra was awarded the fifth honour.
- The color of the ribbon is red and the badge is 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 tricolor flags surrounded by the motto ‘Honor and Fatherland’ written in French.
- The membership to Legion of Honour is restricted to French nationals. But the foreign nationals who serve France or uphold its ideals may also be given a distinction of the Legion.
- So far more than 79,000 members are there and France decorate around 300 foreign nationals with this honour each year.
- Other personalities who received this honour include former South African President Nelson Mandela, King Charles - the then Prince of Wales, Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Former United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
