ISRO scientist VR Lalithambika gets France's highest civilian award

ISRO scientist VR Lalitambika has been honored with France's highest civilian award 'The Legion of Honour'. This award was given to Lalitambika on 28 November 2023 by Thierry Matthau, Ambassador of France to India.

• The highest civilian award, the Legion of Honor (Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur), was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
• The award is bestowed for outstanding contributions to France. Citizenship is not taken into account in this.
• The French Embassy has informed that advanced launch vehicle technology expert Lalitambika has been associated with the work of many rockets of ISRO. Among these, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) holds a distinct position.
• Lalithambika is a distinguished scientist and pioneer in space technology.
• Lalitambika's expertise, achievements and tireless efforts have written an ambitious new chapter in the long history of the India-French space partnership.

Lalitambika coordinated with France's national space agency:

• In 2018, as the director of the Human Space Flight Programme, Lalithambika coordinated with the French National Space Agency (CNES) regarding the Gaganyaan project.

Indian honored with France's highest civilian award 'The Legion of Honour':

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honored with the Legion of Honor by France in July 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this honour.
• Former ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Kamal Haasan, Amartya Sen, Ravi Shankar, Zubin Mehta, Lata Mangeshkar, Shashi Tharoor, JRD Tata and Ratan Tata have also received France's highest honour.

This honor is given for specific works:

• This highest honour of France is given to those who do special work for the country. This honor is also given to citizens of other countries.

Prominent among those who received this honor at the global level:

• The Legion of Honour is awarded to selected prominent leaders and eminent personalities from around the world. 
• These include former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, the then Prince of Wales King Charles, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, former Secretary General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros-Ghali and many other celebrities are included in this list.