Professor Nicholas Kazanas has been recognised for his academic achievements by being awarded India's highly coveted Padma Shri Award.
Awarded every year on India's Republic Day, which is being celebrated today, the Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award and was instituted in 1954.
The Chios-born professor is an Indologist and Vedic expert, known for translating Indian philosophical and religious texts into Greek, is coveted in India for defending the Indigenous Aryan theory.
Professor Kazanas defends the theory that the Aryans were indigenous to India rather than migrants to the subcontinent.
For his service to Indology, the professor was awarded the Padma Shri Award, along with many others who have distinguished themselves in India.
Indian Ambassador to Athens, Amrit Lugun, expressed his congratulations to the professor for being awarded the Padma Shri.
"Heartiest congratulations to Professor Nicholas Kazanas on conferment of Padma Shri Award in recognition of his contribution to Literature and Education by Honourable President of India on the occasion of Republic Day 2021," the ambassador said.
Amb Amrit Lugun:Heartiest congratulations to Prof Nicholas Kazanas on conferment of Padma Shri Award in recognition of his contribution to Literature & Education by Hon’ble President of India on the occasion of Republic Day 2021#PadmaAwards #MEAIndia #IndiaGreece #OmilosMeleton pic.twitter.com/wFIdNhvhew
— India in Greece (@EmbIndiaAthens) January 25, 2021
