Padma Shri conferred upon French nationals, including 100-year-old yoga expert

| Updated: 27 January, 2024 2:47 pm IST

100-year-old yoga exponent Charlotte Chopin

NEW DELHI: In a significant development strengthening the ties between India and France, four French nationals have been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award, marking the highest representation from any foreign country.

The esteemed Padma awards, which acknowledge outstanding contributions in various fields, were announced by the Centre on Thursday. This announcement coincided with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India, where he served as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade.

President Droupadi Murmu approved a total of 132 Padma awards, including five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri honours. Among the awardees are 30 women, and the list includes eight individuals who are either foreigners, non-resident Indians, people of Indian origin, or hold overseas citizenship of India.

The recipients from France who received the honour include 100-year-old yoga exponent Charlotte Chopin and Kiran Vyas, aged 79, a renowned practitioner of yoga and Ayurveda. Pierre Sylvain Filliozat, an 87-year-old Sanskrit scholar dedicated to advancing studies in Indian culture, and Fred Negrit, an Indologist promoting greater awareness and appreciation of Indian culture, were also recognised with Padma awards.

FLASH: French President #EmmanuelMacron & External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visit to Delhi’s Nizamuddin Dargah.

They visited around 9.45pm last night. This is 700-year-old shrine, called as the nerve centre of Sufi culture in India.

Reports: @urvashikhona #Nizamuddin… pic.twitter.com/2UVP9uePkK

— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 27, 2024

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn Young Liu has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award for his outstanding contributions to the field of technology and entrepreneurship.

All four individuals were bestowed with the Padma Shri. The Padma Awards selection process involves recommendations formulated by a committee chaired by the Prime Minister. PM Modi congratulated all the awardees in a post on X, expressing his admiration for their remarkable contributions across diverse sectors.

“Congratulations to all those who have been conferred the Padma Awards. India cherishes their contribution across diverse sectors. May they continue to inspire people with their exceptional work,” he tweeted.

View His Tweet Here:

Congratulations to all those who have been conferred the Padma Awards. India cherishes their contribution across diverse sectors. May they continue to inspire people with their exceptional work. https://t.co/rDJbL9nHNi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2024