By : PARTHA ROY
Director General of Indian Council for Cultural Relation ( ICCR ) Shri Kumar Tuhin presented “Bharat Mitra Samman – Indology Award 2023” to Shri Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso, President, College of Language and Culture Studies, Royal University of Bhutan at an elegant function at India House in Thimphu on 10th May 2024.
The Embassy of India in Bhutan organised the award ceremony. Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Shri Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay was the Chief Guest on the program.
During his address, Prime Minister of Royal Government of Bhutan highlighted the deep rooted history of Indian and Bhutanese culture, and the pivotal role India and Bhutan play in promoting stability and development in the region.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel also attended the award ceremony alongwith many other distinguished guests including His Eminence Tsugla Lopen Karma Rangdrol , Dasho Ugyen Namgyel, Gyalpoi Zimpon, senior officials
from the Royal Government, faculty and officials from the Royal University of Bhutan, eminent
scholars, members of business community.
Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Mr. Sudhakar Dalela, highlighted that it is for first time “Bharat Mitra Samman- Indology Award ” was conferred on a Bhutanese scholar.
Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso expressed gratitude for the honor in his acceptance speech, highlighting the importance of role of cultural and people to people exchanges in strengthening ties between India and Bhutan.
“Bharat Mitra Samman” is a distinguished Indologist award instituted by Indian Council
for Cultural Relations in 2015, to recognize eminent scholars who have made an outstanding
contribution to India’s cultural heritage by studying, teaching, or conducting research in India’s
philosophy, thought, history, art and literature, culture, languages and society. The Award is
conferred every year on foreign nationals and comprises a Citation, a Medallion, and prize
money equivalent of US$ 20,000.
The award ceremony concluded with a captivating music performance by an Indian and
Bhutanese ensemble.
