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President Droupadi Murmu receives Suriname’s highest civilian award

If this honour serves as a beacon of empowerment and encouragement for women in both our countries, then it becomes even more meaningful, says Prez Murmu

PGurus Newsdesk

June 6, 2023

If this honour serves as a beacon of empowerment and encouragement for women in both our countries, then it becomes even more meaningful, says Prez Murmu

PM Modi congratulates Prez Murmu on receiving Suriname’s highest civilian honour

President Droupadi Murmu received Suriname‘s highest distinction, “Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star” from counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhion on Monday.

After receiving the award, Prez Murmu said, “If this honour serves as a beacon of empowerment and encouragement for women in both our countries, then it becomes even more meaningful. Receiving this decoration during the historic commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Indian arrival in Suriname makes it more special.”

Murmu also said that she wants to dedicate this honour to the successive generations of the Indian-Surinamese community.

“This recognition holds tremendous significance, not only for me but also for the 1.4 billion people of India whom I represent. I also dedicate this honour to the successive generations of the Indian-Surinamese community, who have played a stellar role in enriching the fraternal ties between our two countries, President Murmu said.

Murmu and Suriname counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi on Tuesday attended a cultural festival to mark 150 years of the arrival of Indians to Suriname. In her address at the cultural festival, President Murmu stated that there are many similarities between India and Suriname. She said that the diversity of the people of Suriname has won her heart.

“The beauty of your country’s lush green landscape, the remarkable variety of plants and wildlife, and the pure breeze create a wonderful ambiance. However, what has truly won my heart is the diversity of the people of Suriname. Your well welcome, your love, your enthusiasm,” President Murmu said.

“There are so many similarities between India which is well known for its diversity and Suriname that the people of both countries could integrate into each other’s societies very easily. I feel like I am in my own home,” she added. President Murmu said that they are marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Suriname. She said that the first group of people from India on board a ship arrived in Suriname in 1873. She stated that more than 34,000 Indians arrived in Suriname over the next few decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated President Droupadi Murmu on receiving Suriname’s highest civilian honour.

“Congratulations to Rashtrapati Ji on being conferred the highest civilian award of Suriname – Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star. This special gesture from the Government and people of Suriname symbolizes the enduring friendship between our countries,” Modi tweeted on Tuesday.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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