- HCL Technologies chairperson Roshini Nadar has been conferred with France’s highest civilian award, the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur or the Knight of the Legion of Honour.
- The French ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, conferred the award to Roshini Nadar on behalf of the French president on 8 July 2024 at the French Embassy in New Delhi.
Order of Légion d’Honneur (Order of Legion of Honour)
- The Order of Légion d’honneur is the highest civilian award conferred by the government of France. The award was instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
- The Order of Legion of Honour has been divided into five degrees: Grand Croix (Grand Cross), Grand Officer, Commandeur(Commander), Officier and Chevalier (Knight)
- The Grand Cross is the highest-ranked award, followed by Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.
- The award is given to a French citizen or a foreigner for outstanding contribution in the recipient’s field of expertise.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour in 2023.
Prominent Indians to receive the Award
- Durga Charan Rakshit was the first Indian to receive the Legion of Honour award. He was conferred the award in 1896.
- Since then, the French government has conferred the Legion of Honour award on many noted Indian personalities from diverse fields.