President Pranab Mukherjee has presented the second ICCR distinguished ideologist award to Prof. Yu Long Yu of China at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The contribution of foreign scholars to the development of Indology has been critical and their efforts have led to the worldwide awareness of India’s rich cultural and civilizational past.

Prof. Yu Long Yu, Professor and Director at the Centre for Indian Studies, Shenzhen University, has studied Indology for half a century and is the pioneer for Indology in South China. He has set up the Centre for Indian Studies and Tan Yunshan Sino-Indian Friendship Museum in Shenzhen University.

WORLD INDOLOGY CONFERENCE

• The Rashtrapati Bhavan will host for the first time a World Indology Conference in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) from November 21 to 23, 2015.
• This is a first of its kind event where around 21 eminent Indologists from across the world will live in Rashtrapati Bhavan (including in the prestigious Guest Wing of Rashtrapati Bhavan which normally hosts visiting leaders from foreign countries) and along with eight senior scholars from India deliberate on various topics related to Indian culture and philosophy.
• Such an Award is being instituted for the first time by ICCR.
• ICCR has instituted the annual ‘ICCR Distinguished Indologist Award’ to recognize eminent Indologists working abroad who have made outstanding contribution to the study/teaching/research in India’s philosophy, thought, history, art, culture, Indian languages, literature, civilization, society etc. This award includes US$ 20000 and a Citation.