As part of its mandate of promoting India’s cultural relations with other countries through various instrumentalities involving people-to-people contact and understanding, ICCR has instituted the following awards for the foreign nationals for their contributions to Indian cause in respective fields:
a) Bharat Mitra Samman - Indology
Distinguished Indologist Award instituted by ICCR in 2015 to recognize eminent Indologists who have made outstanding contribution to Indian cause, by studying / teaching / doing research in India’s philosophy, thought, history, art, culture, Indian languages, literature, civilization, society etc., has been renamed as “Bharat Mitra Samman - Indology”.
| Sr. No. | Year | Name of Awardee | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015 | Prof. Heinrich Freiherr Von Stietencron | Germany |
| 2 | 2016 | Prof. Yu Long Yu | China |
| 3 | 2017 | Prof. Hiroshi Marui | Japan |
| 4 | 2018 | Prof. Werner Menski | UK |
| 5 | 2019 | Prof. Geo Lyong Lee | South Korea |
| - | - | Dr. Vishwa Adluri | USA |
| 6 | 2020 | Sh. Rajiv Malhotra | USA |
| 7 | 2021 | Mr. Jeffrey Armstrong | Canada |
| 8 | 2022 | Dr. Joanna Jurewicz | Poland |
| 9 | 2023 | Mr. Lungtaen Gyatso | Bhutan |
b) Bharat Mitra Samman - Sanskrit
World Sanskrit Award instituted by ICCR in 2015 to recognize eminent Sanskrit Scholars who have made outstanding contribution to Indian cause, by studying / teaching / doing research in Sanskrit language and literature, has been renamed as “Bharat Mitra Samman – Sanskrit”.
| Sr. No. | Year | Name of Awardee | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015 | Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn | Thailand |
| 2 | 2016 | Prof. George Cardona | USA |
| 3 | 2018 | Prof. Ashok Narhar Aklujkar | Canada |
| 4 | 2019 | Prof. Lim Geun Dong | South Korea |
| 5 | 2020 | Mr. Rutger Kortenhorst | Ireland |
| 6 | 2021 | Dr. Boris Alekseevich Zakharin | Russia |
| 7 | 2022 | Ms. Vlasta Pacheiner Klander | Slovenia |
| 8 | 2023 | Dr. Vasundhara Kavali Filliozat | France |
c) Bharat Mitra Samman – Distinguished Alumni
India has always been an attractive destination for higher education for foreign students and scholars to enrich their academic excellence. Since Independence, Government of India has always welcomed foreign students to study in India. ICCR has an extensive scholarship programme for foreign students. It annually disburses large number of scholarships to students from countries across the world to pursue academic and other courses in Indian performing/visual arts at under-graduate, post-graduate and research levels in Indian institutions. Foreign students who studied in India are India’s goodwill ambassadors and over a period of time, have achieved influential positions in their respective countries. Recognizing the achievements of foreign students who studied in India, Distinguished Alumni Award was instituted by ICCR in 2015 to recognize ICCR Alumni “who have made significant achievements in his/her field and/or have made outstanding contribution to the promotion of understanding, goodwill and friendship between India and their country”. The award has been renamed as “Bharat Mitra Samman - Distinguished Alumni”.
Ever since the inception of the award in 2015, the following have been selected for the award:-
| Sr. No. | Year | Name of Awardee | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015 | H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh | Vietnam |
| - | - | H.E. Ms Zenebu Tadesse Woldetsadik | Ethiopia |
| - | - | Mrs. Milena Salvini | France |
| 2 | 2016 | Dr. Soe Win | Myanmar |
| - | - | Mrs. Sarita Boodhoo | Mauritius |
| - | - | Prof. I. Ketut Widnya | Indonesia |
| - | - | Dr. Laura Gibratovna Yerekesheva | Kazakhstan |
| - | - | Dr. Galina Rousseva Sokolova | Bulgaria |
| 3 | 2017 | Ms. Rezwana Choudhury Bannya | Bangladesh |
| - | - | Ms. Aishath Safoora | Maldives |
| - | - | Dr. Saman Kelegama (Posthumously) | Sri Lanka |
| - | - | Ms. Dollaporn Phukkhong | Thailand |
| - | - | Dr. Sirojiddin S Nurmatov | Uzbekistan |
| 4 | 2018 | H.E. Dr. Kaba Urgessa Dinssa | Ethiopia |
| - | - | Mr. Bui Ba Bong | Vietnam |
| - | - | Dr. Constantino Xavier | Portugal |
| - | - | Mr. Ajmal Hameed Abdulrahimza | Afghanistan |
| - | - | Mr. Damcho Dorji | Bhutan |
| 5 | 2019 | Mr. Mohammad Mirwais Balkhi | Afghanistan |
| - | - | Ms. Muqaddesa Yourish | Afghanistan |
| - | - | Ms. Monica de la Fuente | Spain |
| - | - | Mr. Tendai Padenga | Zimbabwe |
| - | - | Mr. Odbayar Jagarnomch | Mongolia |
| 6 | 2020 | Ms. Martine Metayer | France |
| - | - | Dr. RK Lal Mervin Dharmasiri | Sri Lanka |
| - | - | Dr. Riyad Mustafa Abushehadeh | Palestine |
| - | - | Mr. Rateb Noori | Afghanistan |
| - | - | Dr. Francesca Cassio | Italy |
| 7 | 2021 | Mr. Sonam Dorji | Bhutan |
| - | - | Mrs. Eat Sophea | Cambodia |
| - | - | Dr. Oscar Riembau Pujol | Spain |
| - | - | Dr. Ergogie Tesfaye Woldemeskel | Ethiopia |
| - | - | Dr. Irina Glushkova | Russia |
| 8 | 2022 | Prof. Dimitrios Vassiliadis | Greece |
| - | - | Ms. Masako Satou | Japan |
| - | - | Dr. Wah Wah Maung | Myanmar |
| - | - | Dr. Son Yeon Woo | Republic of Korea |
| - | - | Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh | Vietnam |
| 9 | 2023 | Ms. Farzana Mahmood | Bangladesh |
| - | - | Ms. Brigitte Chataignier | France |
| - | - | Dr. Muhanad Hatim Hashim Alrakabi | Iraq |
| - | - | Mr. Krzysztof Jakub Iwanek | Poland |
| - | - | Dr. Piyanat Soikham | Thailand |
d) International Award for Promotion of Buddhism
Award for Promotion of Buddhist Studies instituted by ICCR in 2021 to recognize the contribution of foreign scholars/individuals/organizations to Indian cause for the promotion of Buddhism/Buddhist studies globally, has been renamed as “International Award for Promotion of Buddhism”
Ever since the inception of the award in 2021, the following have been selected for the award:-
| Sr. No. | Year | Name of Awardee | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021 | Otani University | Japan |
| - | - | Dr. Duong Thi Thanh Huong | Vietnam |
| 2 | 2022 | Mr. Choijamts Demberel | Mongolia |
| 3 | 2023 | Dr. Ashin Nyanissara | Myanmar |
e) Annapurna Certificate
The “Annapurna Certificate” is an Award initiated by the Indian Council Cultural Relations (ICCR) to recognize and honour restaurants operating abroad that have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of authentic Indian cuisine and culinary traditions in foreign countries. This award serves as a symbol of appreciation for the significant role these restaurants play in introducing Indian gastronomy to local communities abroad and enhancing cultural exchange.
Annapurna Certificate 2023 award function was held at Kamal Mahal, ITC Maurya, New Delhi on 12th December 2023 in which the Annapurna Certificates have been presented by Chief Guest, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State of External Affairs and Culture and Guest of Honour, Smt. Hema Malini, Member of Parliament, Lokshbha.
The following restaurants have been awarded for Annapurna Certificate for the year 2023:-
1. Amber India Restaurant from USA: Amber India has been balancing traditional Indian cuisine with a contemporary atmosphere for the past 25 years. A curated collection of contemporary Indian art sets the stage for an experience rooted in tradition and delivered with a fresh approach.
2. Balaji Dosai from Sri Lanka: Balaji Dosai is a unique concept restaurant in the heart of Kandy. An Indian restaurant has been in operation for 10 years, serving both South and North Indian cuisine to locals and tourists. They ensure that each guest receives prompt, professional, friendly, and courteous service.
3. Indian Street Food & Co. from Sweden: Indian Street Food & Co creates a modern Indian cuisine inspired by food vendors in the streets of India. By blending tradition with modern tastes and sustainable ideals, their mission is to elevate the Indian dining experience wherever they go.
4. Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant from Oman: Mumtaz Mahal is one of the oldest fine-dining restaurants in Muscat, serving the best North Indian food since 1984. From the delicious cuisine to the regal ambience, everything within this palatial restaurant reflects a sense of royalty and grandeur.
5. Namaste, Indian Restaurant from Mongolia: This restaurant serves the best North Indian, Mughlai, and Punjabi food. Its chefs hail from various regions of India, each bringing with them the rich and authentic flavors of their hometowns. With their expertise and passion for Indian cuisine, they create a culinary experience that is truly unparalleled.
6. Naans and Curries, An Ethnic Indian Restaurant from Costa Rica: Naans & Curries encompasses dining experiences that simulate and interact with five senses, serving the Indian foods. The elaborate offering has multi-layers of flavours. High-quality ethnic ingredients, skillful preparation by highly skilled chefs from India, and the process of serving from the foundation.
