Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Russia these days, today he will leave for Austria from here. Meanwhile, he was honored with Russia’s most prestigious civilian honor (Order of St. Andrew the Apostle) today. Russian President Vladimir Putin himself gave this honor to PM Modi by putting the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle on him with his own hands. After this, the PM expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Putin for this honor. Let us tell you that this ceremony took place in the grand hall of the Order of St. Andrew.

PM said this

Expressing gratitude, PM Modi said that this honor is not just my honor but the honor of 140 crore Indians. It is an example of the centuries-old deep friendship between India and Russia, it is also an honor of our Special Privilege Partnership. For the last nearly two and a half decades, under your leadership, India-Russia relations have strengthened in all directions and have been achieving new heights every time. After this, the countrymen were eager to know what this honor is?

What is the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle?

For information, let us tell you that the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle is the highest order of valor in Russia. It was started by Tsar Peter the Great in 1698 in honor of St. Andrew, St. Andrew was the first saint after Jesus, is considered the patron saint of Russia. This honor was originally created to reward individuals who have done outstanding work in Russia’s outstanding civil and military and for exceptional service to the state.

The insignia of this award usually includes a blue sash, a badge with the cross of St. Andrew and a star worn on the chest. The badge consists of a golden cross of St. Andrew, on which there is an X-shaped cross-like symbol.

The order was abolished after the Russian Revolution in 1917, but it was resumed after the Soviet era. It is still awarded in the Russian Federation today, maintaining its reputation as a symbol of high honour and distinction. In Russia, the Order of St Andrew the Apostle is still awarded by the President of Russia for exceptional service to the country, maintaining its historical tradition as the highest state honour.

What does it mean?

Narendra Modi is being given Russia’s highest state award – the Order of St Andrew the Apostle – for his outstanding efforts to promote partnership and friendship between India and Russia.