Shashi Tharoor to be conferred with the Le’gion d’honneur by French government

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‘Deeply honoured’

Reacting to it, Tharoor said, ” This was announced ages ago but it has finally been scheduled this evening and I am deeply honoured.”

According to reports, the French ambassador in New Delhi had informed the parliamentarian regarding the honour in 2022 and said that he would be bestowed the honour during any French minister’s visit to India.

The honour is being awarded to Tharoor for his writings and speeches.

“As one who cherishes our relations with France, loves the language and admires the culture, I am honoured to be recognized in this way. My gratitude & appreciation to those who have seen fit to award me this distinction,” Tharoor wrote on Twitter (now X) when he was informed of the award in 2022.

Tharoor received a similar honour from the Spanish government in 2010 when the King of Spain bestowed upon him the ‘Encomienda de la Real Order Espanola de Carlos III’.

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The award

The French government bestows the Legion of Honour awards, to both French and foreign nationals, based on the recipient’s exemplary services rendered to France, or the causes supported by France.

This award is divided into five distinct categories: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross).

In 2023, Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran, and philanthropist and art collector Kiran Nadar were awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.