Indian President Murmu conferred award in Suriname

Suriname conferred its highest civilian honour to President Droupadi Murmu- The Grand Order of the Chain of Yellow Star, the first Indian to receive this award.
Murmu received the award from the President of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi. President Murmu after receiving the award, said that the honour holds tremendous significance not only for her but the people of India.
"I am greatly honoured to receive Suriname's highest distinction, "Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star." This recognition holds tremendous significance, not only for me but also for the 1.4 billion people of India whom I represent," the President of India said in a tweet.
She dedicated the award to the "successive generations" of the Indian-Surinamese community.

On the first leg of her state visit to Serbia and Suriname, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Paramaribo, Suriname on June 4.
President Murmu commenced her engagements with the visit to the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo to meet her counterpart, President Santokhi.
She received a warm welcome from her counterpart Santokhi at the Presidential palace in Paramaribo. She was delighted to learn that Hindi is widely spoken in Suriname, which makes her remind of India.
India and Suriname on June 5 signed four major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of health, agriculture and capacity building.
The pacts were inked after President Murmu and Santokhi held delegation-level talks.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that she was happy to be in Suriname on her first State Visit as President of India when it is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Suriname, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in an official release.

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 ambience. 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 that is well known for its diversity and Suriname that the people of both countries could integrate in each other's societies very easily. I feel like I am in my own home," she added.

(ANI)