Ordre National du Mérite

Ordre National du Mérite is the French order of merit with membership awarded by the French President. It was founded by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Recently, Indian physicist and Padma Shri awardee Rohini Godbole was received this award, which is one among the highest distinctions conferred by France. It was conferred in recognition of her contributions in India-France collaborations. With this award, Godbole joined the league of Indians awarded with this honour, which includes Dr Indira Nath, the former founder head of the department of biotechnology at AIIMS.