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Ela Bhatt, Swaminathan to receive French awards
Earlier, famed personalities like Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar, Ravi Shankar and Dilip Padgaonkar have been honoured by the French government.
France will honour four Indians, including renowned agriculturist MS Swaminathan, social activist Ela Bhatt and environmentalist RK Pachauri, on their National Day on Friday with awards for their exemplary contributions in their respective fields.
Noted social worker Fr Cedric Prakash is the fourth awardee.
Pachauri, Director General of TERI, will be awarded the 'Officer of the Legion of Honour' for his work in the field of environment and sustainable development, Bhatt will be given the same for her "unparalleled" work for underprivileged women through her organisation SEWA.
Swaminathan, hailed as the father of India's Green Revolution, will be conferred with the 'Commander of Agricultural Merit' for his "outstanding service" in agriculture and development, a French Embassy release said.
The 'Knight of the Legion of Honour' will be conferred upon Prakash in recognition of his selfless social work in human rights, it added.
The 'Legion of Honour' is the highest distinction that can be conferred in France on a foreigner.
The awards will be given on Friday to coincide with the French National Day celebrations.
Earlier, famed personalities like Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar, Ravi Shankar and Dilip Padgaonkar have been honoured by the French government.
