Prelims: Current events of national & International importance
Why in the News?
Recently, PM of India was conferred with Royal order of the Polar start, Degree Commander Grand Cross a Sweden’s highest honor for foreign head of government.
About Royal Order.
- A Premier Swedish order to honor foreign citizens, head of the government, Royalty & Individuals for their outstanding public service.
- Established on – 1748 by King Fredrik I of Sweden.
- Historically – Award was dedicated to civic Merit, science & Literature – symbolizing Polar star piercing through the darkness of Ignorance (Enlightenment Focus).
- Modern Reforms – From 1975 onwards it’s exclusively reserved for foreign nationals & Stateless individuals who have given their exceptional service to Sweden.
Features of the award.
- Insignia - A white-enameled golden Maltese cross with a distinct blue medallion featuring the silver Polar Star and the motto Nescit occasum ("It knows no decline").
- Ribbon - Modern foreign recipients receive the order on a pale blue ribbon with yellow edges, directly reflecting Sweden’s national colors.
- Grand Cross Collar - features a decorative collar adorned with crowned monograms and Polar Stars, paired with an eight-pointed silver breast star.
- Strict protocol - These royal decorations must be formally returned to the Royal Orders of Knighthood upon the recipient’s demise.
Significance
- Historic First - Pm Modi becomes the first Asian leader to receive this prestigious honor, marking his 31st international accolade.
- Strategic Elevation - The conferral coincided with India and Sweden officially upgrading their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, deepening cutting-edge collaborations in defense manufacturing (e.g., Saab Gripen fighter jets), green hydrogen, and deep-tech.
- Conferral Coincided - With India & Sweden officially upgrading their strategic ties in defence, manufacturing (Saab Gripen Fighter Jets), green hydrogen & deep tech.
- Tagore’s connections – Sweden presented India with a symbolic box containing faithful reproductions of 2 handwritten cards by Rabindranath Tagore.
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Quick Facts
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This year marks the 100th anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s historic visit to Sweden in 1926, where he was received by King Gustav V (Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 but was unable to travel to Sweden until later).
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For Reference: The Hindu | IAS Parliament
