— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

"A SOLDIER": French Ambassador Dominique Girard honouring Dr. M.S. Swaminathan with the `Commander of Agriculture Merit' in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: "India can learn a lot from France in the way they protect the interests of their farmers," said the father of the Green Revolution M. S. Swaminathan after accepting the French `Commander of Agriculture Merit' award here on Friday. The award was given in recognition of his outstanding service in the field of agriculture and development of rural India as part of the National Day Celebrations of France.

The French Government also bestowed its high civilian honours on three other Indians — renowned environmentalist R.K. Pachauri, social worker Ela Bhatt and human rights champion Cedric Prakash.

French Ambassador Dominique Girard said the Legions of Honour, as three of the awards were called, brought together soldiers of different aims.

Director-General of Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) Pachauri was awarded the `Officer of the Legion' for his contribution in the field of environment and sustainable development. In his acceptance speech, he lauded French achievements in the area of energy and environment.

Founder of Self-Employed Women's Association Bhatt was awarded the `Officer of the Legion' in recognition of her unparalleled work for underprivileged women. She was accompanied by 30 self-reliant women from Gujarat, all members of SEWA.

Ms. Bhatt said "Liberty, equality, fraternity and the right to self-determination are part of the political vocabulary of most nations today, no matter what their political system ...Yet, the distance between the haves and the have-nots is increasing. Under such circumstances, is it possible to have political freedom without economic freedom? To what extent can an economically weak person exercise her political rights?"

The `Knight of the Legion Honour' was bestowed on Father Cedric Prakash, Director of `Prashant,' the Centre for Promotion of Human Rights, Justice and Peace, in recognition of his selfless social work and his actions in favour of human rights. He dedicated his award to former member of Parliament Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the Godhra riots in Gujarat.

Bastille Day, the French National Day, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789, and heralded the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille — a prison — symbolises the absolute power of King Louis XVI and its fall marked a victory for liberty and the will of the people.

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