Professor Meeta Narayan has become the first Indian to receive the prestigious Helena Roerich International Medal. Organisers conferred the honour this evening in Moscow.
The award commemorates the legacy of renowned Russian philosopher, writer and cultural figure Helena Roerich (1879-1955).
The Helena Roerich Charitable Foundation in Moscow presents the medal annually. It recognises individuals who demonstrate exceptional contribution in culture, art, science and humanitarian thought.
Previous recipients include globally recognised Russian personalities such as Anatoly Karpov, who became World Chess Champion in 1975.
The formal ceremony took place on 12 February 2026 at the Moscow House of Public Organisations.
Distinguished guests attended the event. Senior officials, diplomats from the Embassy of India in Russia, academics, intellectuals, artists, students and admirers of literature and culture marked their presence.
Observers widely acknowledge Professor Narayan’s historic contribution to promoting the artistic, literary and philosophical heritage of the Roerich family in India and Russia. She previously served as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Professor Narayan authored the trilingual volume ‘Roerich’s World in Poetry’. The work uniquely presents Roerich’s poetic cycles in Russian, Hindi and English.
The book, however, highlights the depth of Indian culture, philosophy and spirituality through the lens of a Russian painter and poet.
Scholars regard it as a significant cultural document of Indo-Russian friendship. Her second publication, ‘East-West’, however, underscores the indispensability of culture in fostering international harmony and mutual understanding.
Such intellectual initiatives advance humanitarian values and strengthen cross-cultural dialogue.
Professor Narayan commands over four decades of expertise in Russian language studies and research. She, however, specialises in Russian philology and translation studies and enjoys international academic recognition.
Universities across numerous countries have incorporated her publications into their curricula. She has previously received the Pushkin Medal in 2019 and the Dostoevsky Star Award in 2025 for her contribution to Russian language promotion.
She also earned the Modernites Award for Excellence in 2019 and the Dr Radhakrishnan Millennium National Teacher Award in 2010.
This honour marks a milestone in advancing Roerich’s legacy and deepening India-Russia cultural relations.
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