Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently been awarded the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’, Bhutan’s highest civilian award also known as the “Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo”. This honor comes with a lifetime recognition for service to the people and the Kingdom of Bhutan.
The Significance of the Award and Its Occurrence
The announcement of the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was bestowed on the 114th National Day of Bhutan. Established in November 7, 2008, the Order of the Dragon King is an accolade recognizing those who have dedicated their life’s work to the upliftment and betterment of the Bhutanese nation and its people. It is the highest decoration in Bhutan and takes precedence over all other orders, medals, and decorations, making it the most esteemed honor in the country.
Categories of the Order of the Druk Gyalpo
The prestigious Order of the Dragon King is divided into two categories, each reflecting a different level of service and contribution to the country of Bhutan.
Awards Received By Prime Minister Modi
Beyond the distinction from Bhutan, Prime Minister Modi has received several other international awards in recognition of his exemplary service and contributions.
International Honors and Recognition
The list of international honors bestowed upon the Prime Minister includes the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (2016), Saudi Arabia’s highest honor awarded to non-Muslim dignitaries; the State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan (2016), Afghanistan’s highest civilian award; the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine (2018), the highest honor of Palestine for foreign dignitaries; and the Order of Zayed Award (2019), the United Arab Emirates’ top civilian honor. In 2019, he was also awarded the Order of St. Andrew, Russia’s highest civilian award, and the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, the most prestigious award in Maldives for foreign dignitaries.
Additional Awards Received
In addition to the aforementioned accolades, the Prime Minister has been lauded with the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance – First Class (2019), Bahrain’s premier honor, and the Legion of Merit by the US Government (2020), an award given for exceptional conduct, outstanding services, and achievements. He has also received significant global recognition for his commitment to peace and environmental sustainability, as demonstrated by his receipt of the Seoul Peace Prize (2018) and the Champions of The Earth Award (2018), the United Nation’s highest environmental honor.
Acknowledgment of Leadership and Commitment
Prime Minister Modi’s leadership qualities have been recognized with the First Philip Kotler Presidential Award (2019). Under his stewardship, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative earned him the Global Goalkeeper Award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2019. His commitment to energy and environmental conservation was acknowledged with the Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award in 2021, presented by the Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA).
Last Modified: February 14, 2024