The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has recognized Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand with the first ‘World Sanskrit Award’ for the year 2015 while American linguist and Indologist Prof. George Cardona with World Sanskrit Award for the year 2016 for their exemplary contribution for the promotion of the Sanskrit language.
- The award was presented to both the winners on November 21, 2016 by Vice President Hamid Ansari at a function held in New Delhi.
- The Jury for deciding the award comprised of eminent Sanskrit scholars under the Chairmanship of Professor Lokesh Chandra, President ICCR.
- Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has arrived India on November 21 for an official visit to the country lasting November 26, 2016.
- She will also visit Bhopal, Guwahati and Shillong and will leave for Bangkok on November 26, 2016.
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn :
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is a noted educator and an eminent scholar of Sanskrit and Pali as well as interested in epigraphy too.
- She has been the Royal Patron of the 16th World Sanskrit Conference which was held in Bangkok in 2015.
- She has received several awards such as Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Award from the Union Government in 2004; and Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1991 and Honorary Doctorates including Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature (Sanskrit) from Delhi University in 1987.
Professor George Cardona
Prof. George Cardona is an American linguist and Indologist. He is Professor Emeritus of linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
- He alone is responsible for making the University of Pennsylvania a centre of Sanskrit learning in North America.
- Prof. Cardona was earlier awarded President of India’s Certificate of Honour in Sanskrit in the year 2012.
World Sanskrit Award
The award was instituted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
- The award was announced by the Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her inaugural speech in the 16th World Sanskrit Conference in Bangkok in June 2015.
- It is presented to eminent Sanskrit scholars to recognize their outstanding contribution to the study, research and teaching in Sanskrit language and literature.
ICCR
- The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister after Independence.
- Headquarter: Azad Bhawan, I. P Estate, New Delhi
- President: Prof. Lokesh Chandra
Objectives:
- Formulation and implementation of policies and programmes associated with India’s external cultural relations;
- Encourage and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries;
- Promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people;
- Develop relations with nations.