Padma-Shri Lila Poonawalla’s conferred upon the Royal Order of the Polar Star
In the year 2003, Padma-Shri Lila Poonawalla was first awarded the Polar Star. The Swedish Government awarded her the Polar Star naming her as the officer of the Order for her contribution towards improving the Indo-Swedish Economic Ties. No stranger to winning accolades all over the world, Padma-Shri Poonawalla was recently conferred upon the Royal
In the year 2003, Padma-Shri Lila Poonawalla was first awarded the Polar Star. The Swedish Government awarded her the Polar Star naming her as the officer of the Order for her contribution towards improving the Indo-Swedish Economic Ties.
No stranger to winning accolades all over the world, Padma-Shri Poonawalla was recently conferred upon the Royal Order of the Polar Star – Commander 1st Class (Royal Order of the Seraphim) for boosting the Indo-Swedish Economic Ties in Maharashtra. In a ceremony marking the extra ordinary achievements of noted Art, Corporate, Literature and Science Leaders, King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia themselves conferred upon Mrs. Poonawalla, the Royal Order of the Seraphim – Commander 1st Class.
The Royal Order of Seraphim – Commander 1st Class happens to be one of the most revered Royal honours that the Government/ Royal Family can bestow upon Swedish Nationals or Foreign Nationals contributing for dedication to their duty.
The Royal Order of Seraphim badge is made in pure gold. The medallion of the badge and the star of the order is made in blue enamel. The badge bares white-enameled letters ‘IHS’ which means LesusHominumSalvator in Latin which stands ‘Jesus, Saviour of Mankind’ between the three gold crowns, from the Coat of Arms from Sweden.
Underneath the ‘IHS’ are the three gold nails, which symbolize the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On the reverse side of the badge, the letters ‘FRS’ which stand for ‘Fredericus, Rex Sueciae’ in Latin and ‘Frederick King of Sweden’ in English are enameled in white color. The letters ‘FRS’ commemorate the founder of the order King Frederick of Sweden.
The Royal Order of the Seraphim, Order of the Sword, Order of the Polar Star, and Order of Vasa, all form the Orders of His Majesty the Swedish King, which currently is King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The recipients of this award are treated as royalty in Sweden. Each new knight or member has their coat of arms, surrounded with the collar or sash of the order, painted on a copper plate. A selection of these plates is exhibited in Seraphim room at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. A little known fact of the Order is that when a knight of the Order dies, their coat of arms is hung in the former royal burial church Riddarholmskyrkan in Stockholm, and when the funeral takes place the church bells are rung constantly from 12:00 to 13:00, a practice known as the Serafimerringningen.
Mrs. Poonawalla has also been conferred upon the Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian honour in the year 1989 for her contribution towards increase in international Business and Trade, when she was the Managing Director of Alfa Laval.
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