Date:29/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042918720500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

French honour for G.R. Gopinath

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Praises were showered on Air Deccan by Dominique Girard, French Ambassador to India, who conferred his Government's Order of Legion of Honour on G.R. Gopinath, Managing Director of Deccan Aviation, for revolutionising the concept of flying and for enhancing trade relations between the two countries, here on Saturday.

Tracing the institution of France's highest award to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, Mr. Girard said people who served others deserved to be a part of this legion.

"This highest decoration to some, not to all, is rooted on this tradition," he noted.

Responding to the honour, an emotional Capt. Gopinath said it should go to all his colleagues and friends who stood with the company in testing times.

Taking a trip down memory lane to his humble origin, he said the odds did not deter him to realise the goal.