Four French Nationals Honored with Padma Shri during President Macron’s Visit

As part of the 75th Republic Day celebrations, the Indian government has announced that it will confer the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, on four French nationals. The awardees include yoga teachers Charlotte Chopin and Kiran Vyas, Sanskrit professor and scholar Pierre Sylvain Filliozat, and Indologist Fred Negrit.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India as the chief guest during Republic Day adds significance to the announcement. Among the recipients, 100-year-old yoga teacher Charlotte Chopin, known for bringing the yoga revolution to France since 1982, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his France tour last year. Despite her age, Chopin continues to teach and is admired for her remarkable fitness, having started practicing yoga at the age of 50.

Kiran Vyas, aged 79, an Indian-origin philosopher, and founder of the Tapovan Open University of Yoga and Ayurveda in Paris, is recognized for his contributions to making Ayurveda known in Europe.

Pierre Sylvain Filliozat, 87, has been immersed in Indian and Sanskrit studies since childhood. He has served as the director of Sanskrit studies at the Practical School of Advanced Studies since 1967. In 1959, he obtained a diploma in Hindi, and his work on Sanskrit language and literature has earned him recognition, including the “Letter of Recognition for Skill in Sanskrit Letters and erudition in Science” presented by former President Pranab Mukherjee.

Fred Negrit, an Indologist fostering awareness and appreciation of Indian culture, is commended for his achievements in literature and education.

This year’s Padma Shri awards to four French nationals mark a unique acknowledgment of their significant contributions, emphasizing the cultural and intellectual ties between India and France.