Japan's top Civilian award for Dr. Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been chosen for one of Japan’s top civilian award for his contribution to enhance India-Japan ties. With this, he becomes the first Indian to receive the rare honour. Singh will be awarded ‘The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers’ for his “significant contribution to the enhancement of relations and promotion of friendship” between Japan and India for about 35 years, revealed a Japanese Embassy statement.

It is a “high-level National Order” and a rare honour awarded to those who are recognised for their distinguished contribution, it said, adding “Manmohan Singh is the first Indian recipient of this Order.” Singh said he was truly honoured and felt “humbled by the love and affection showered upon me by the people and government of Japan.” Singh, who served as the Prime Minister for 10 years from 2004, said he was heartened to witness the transformation in India-Japan relations into a durable partnership. He is among 57 foreign recipients named for the 2014 Autumn Imperial Decorations.