Images courtesy of the Official Twitter account of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

This week, ISKCON leader and prolific author Sri Nandanandana Dasa (Stephen Knapp) received the Padma Shri Award from India’s President Droupadi Murmu for his outstanding and distinguished service in the field of Literature and Education. On her X post, President Murmu elaborated, “He has been helping people of other countries to understand the spiritual depth of India.”

A disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Sri Nandanandana has made it his life’s mission to share the wisdom of Krishna consciousness and Vedic culture around the world. This honor, the fourth-highest granted to civilians, recognizes the significant contribution he has made in his decades-long service.

In an earlier ISKCON News article Sri Nandanandana expressed, “I am very grateful for this level of recognition from the Indian government,” he said, “I have been working at trying to please Srila Prabhupada by working to spread Krishna Consciousness and the glory of Indian and Vedic culture for over four decades.”

Speaking of the awards earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Congratulations to all the Padma awardees! India is proud to honour and celebrate their extraordinary achievements. Their dedication and perseverance are truly motivating. Each awardee is synonymous with hard work, passion, and innovation, which has positively impacted countless lives. They teach us the value of striving for excellence and serving society selflessly.”

For those inspired to explore his books, articles, and even free e-books, please visit his websites aquí y aquí. Both websites host a range of content, including his photographs, articles, and details about his various projects. Sri Nandanandana can be contacted via correo electrónico.