Princess Pooyam Thirunal Gauri Parvathi Bayi conferred “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur”

The highest French civilian award came in recognition of Her Highness’ outstanding contribution to deepening the friendship between France and India, as well as promoting the cause of women’s empowerment in India.

Thiruvananthapuram, 19 June 2025

Princess Gauri Parvathi Bayi was today conferred the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, in a special ceremony held in the august Levee Hall. The highest French civilian award came in recognition of Her Highness’ outstanding contribution to deepening the friendship between France and India, as well as promoting the cause of women’s empowerment in India.

Princess Gauri Parvathi Bayi’s life reflects her commitment, among others, to promoting education and women at the workplace, as well as highlighting women’s knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine and the crucial role mothers play in the family system. As a teacher of the French language and a dynamic partner of the Alliance française de Trivandrum, she has been a lifelong friend of France and a significant player in Indo-French cooperation.

Conferring the honour on Princess Gauri Parvathi Bayi, Ambassador Thierry Mathou said: “The success and longevity of Indo-French relations in Kerala are the result of the unwavering support of individuals such as yourself, who believed quite early on in the power of dialogue between our two countries. Your story is one of values – shared by France – and of a conviction: that we must act to promote equality and inclusion. This award, which I am delighted to confer on you, reflects the French Republic’s recognition of your endeavours to forge a world where intercultural exchange leads to peace and inclusion.”

Receiving the recognition, Princess Gauri Parvathi Bayi said: “I am deeply honoured and happy to receive this recognition from the French Government. My family has had ties with France from the time of Maharaja Swati Thirunal. French writer Pierre Loti visited Travancore during the reign of Sri Moolam Thirunal and presented him with a medal – in this very same hall. This was in recognition of the Maharaja’s efforts in the field of education and instituted by the French Academy. I receive this medal as a symbolic continuation of the friendship and goodwill that exists between my family, my state, and my country with France. Any honour done to a Malayali is an award for all Malayalis regardless of where they may be placed in the world. As India and France share dreams, hopes, joys and sometimes fears and sorrows, let us look forward to stronger ties between the two countries and peace and prosperity for both.”