Heinrich von Stietencron
The first `Distinguished Indologist` award was conferred on Prof. Emeritus Heinrich Freiherr Von Stietencron of the Federal Republic of Germany. The President of India has conferred the award during the first ever World Indology Conference held in New Delhi on November 21. The award will carry US $ 20,000 and a citation. Heinrich Von Stietencron has worked on various aspects of history of Indian religions, especially Hinduism. He was one of the founding members of the Orissa Project, which focuses on history and socio-cultural significance of Jagannath cult in Orissa. He was also conferred with Padma Shri in 2004.