Former Indian President Pratibha Patil has
been conferred the “Orden Mexicana del Aguila
Azteca” (Order of the Aztec Eagle), the highest
civilian award of Mexico given to foreigners, on 1 June 2019.
The Ambassador of
Mexico to India, Melba Pria,conferred the award on Patil, who
created history as this country’s first woman President (2007-2012), at a
special ceremony held in the MCCIA Bhavan, Pune.
Recognized for:
Mexico’s highest distinction for foreigners is
in recognition of their outstanding
services to the Mexican nation or humanity, significant
contributions to strengthening the bilateral relations between Mexico and other
countries.
Other India Awardees:
Ms. Patil, 85, becomes only the second Indian head of state to get the
award. Earlier, the late President S.
Radhakrishna had been conferred this honour.
Other Indian recipients in various categories
include Nobel laureate Amartya Sen,
renowned artist Satish Gujral, industrialist Raghupati Singhania, Consul-General of Mexico in
Mumbai Rajju Shroff and
others.
Order of the Aztec Eagle Award:
- The royal eagle is Mexico’s national animal, sacred to the ancient Aztecs and it is present on the National Emblem of the Mexican flag. It is an essential symbol that links their Aztec past with the modern nation.
- It is of gold and turquoise and is given to express the respect and admiration of the Mexican people.
- The award was created by a decree in 1993 by the then President of Mexico, Abelardo L. Rodriguez, it is awarded to prominent heads of state or government, ambassadors after they have served in Mexico, important personalities who have made a major contribution in various fields, service to the country or its people.
The award comes in five degrees namely Collar, Sash of Special Category, Sash, Plaque, Venera and Insignia.
