Japan's Top National Award for Former PM

The former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh was chosen for one of the top national awards for his contribution to India-Japan ties, and he will become the first Indian to receive this rare honour. He will be awarded 'The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers' for his "significant contribution to the enhancement of relations and promotion of friendship" between Japan and India for about 35 years, a Japanese Embassy statement said. 

Mr Singh was delighted with this honour and said, " humbled by the love and affection showered upon me by the people and government of Japan. Meanwhile, Mr. Singh has left for Japan to receive the honour.