Indra Dassanayake

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Indra Dassanayake
Born1943 July 29
Kota, Rajasthan, India
DiedSeptember 2019
Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
CitizenshipSri Lankan
Alma materUniversity of Lucknow
OccupationEmeritus Professor
OrganizationUniversity of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Known forFirst Sri Lankan Professor in Hindi; introducing Hindi language to schools and other educational institutions in Sri Lanka
Spouse(s)Late K. B. Dassanayake
Awards (1983)
Dr. George Grierson Award (2007)
(2018)
Padma Shri (2020)

Indra Dassanayake (1943 – September 2019) was a Sri Lankan academic, emeritus professor in Hindi, an internationally acclaimed scholar, and was one of the pioneers in introducing and promoting Hindi-language and North Indian culture in Sri Lanka through educational institutions. On 26 January 2020, she was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award which is one of the highest Indian civilian awards coinciding with the 71st Republic Day of India.[1][2][3][4]

Career[]

She pursued her higher education at the University of Lucknow and became professionally fluent with the Hindi-language. After returning from India, she introduced the Hindi-language in Sri Lankan education system. She was also a renowned professor of Hindi at the Kelaniya University. She also contributed to re-establish the Department at the Kelaniya University in 1995. She also participated in the first World Hindi Conference in 1975 which was held in Nagpur.[5][2]

Honours[]

In 1983, Indra was awarded the "Saraswathie Award" by the greatest Hindi poetess named Mahadevi Varma at the World Hindi Convention held at New Delhi for the outstanding service rendered to the development of Hindi Language in Sri Lanka and extending the bilateral cultural ties between two countries.

In 2007, Indra was awarded the prestigious Dr. George Grierson Award by Her Excellency the President of India Mrs Prathibha Patel Pratibha Patil for the distinguished service rendered on the propagation of Hindi Language in Sri Lanka. This award was given to her for the year 2005 during the World Hindi Conference in New Delhi on 18 December 2007.

In 2018, she was conferred with the "Doctor Of Literature" by the University Kelaniya, Sri Lanka for representing academic symposiums for 50 years, held in different countries and not only engaging in the educational excursions doing language exploration and globally acquiring academic accomplishments but also fully utilising her acquired expertise for the betterment of the entire university system.

In 2020, on the Republic Day of India, she was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award, by the Government of India, for her contribution to North Indian Literature & Education in Hindi. [6][7][8] It was also the first instance where a Sri Lankan was honoured with the prestigious award since 2002.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ Srinivasan, Meera (2020-01-26). "Two Sri Lankan women receive Padma awards for contribution to arts, language teaching". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  2. ^ a b admin (2020-01-26). "Chitrasena, Dassanayake awarded highest civilian award in India | Colombo Gazette". Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  3. ^ says, Laleenie Hulangamuwa (2020-01-26). "Lankans, Vajira Chitrasena and the Late Prof.Indra Dassanayake, get India's Padma Shri award". NewsIn.Asia. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  4. ^ MENAFN. "Sri Lanka- Chitrasena, Dassanayake awarded highest civilian award in India". menafn.com. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  5. ^ Dimithri Wijesinghe (February 2, 2020). "What's the story behind the accolade?". www.themorning.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  6. ^ "India honours Deshabandhu Dr. Vajira Chitrasena and Late Prof. Indra Dassanayake from Sri Lanka with Padma Shri Awards | Asian Tribune". www.asiantribune.com. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  7. ^ "India honours Deshabandu Dr. Vajira Chitrasena and late Prof. Indra Dassanayake | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  8. ^ "Two Lankans conferred Padma Shri Awards". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  9. ^ "Two Sri Lankan women receive Padma awards". newsonair.com. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
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