In a simple ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador to India Suzuki Satoshi on Friday felicitated Indira Misra by conferring on her the Decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

Misra was bestowed this honour in recognition for her remarkable and longstanding contribution for the promotion of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, in India and also in helping deepening and strengthening of mutual understanding between India and Japan.

The ceremony was conducted in the presence of the selected guests with the necessary precautions being followed in view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation.

Misra has been engaged in promotion of Ikebana in India for over 30 years and she started learning Ikebana in 1972 in Osaka and was trained under several renowned Japanese Masters. Joining the Ohara School in Tokyo in 1979 she went on to successfully becoming the Assistant Teacher, Instructor and Associate Master’s terms and earned her First Degree Master Certificate in 2017.

She played an important role as the founding member and teacher of the Delhi Chapter of Ohara School by imparting training in Ikebana to younger people, and establishing the Ohara School in Delhi.

Besides, in 2003 Misra helped in establishing the Ikebana International Gurugram Chapter. “I am delighted to learn that the Ikebana has been rooted steadily in the Gurugram community and Gurugram has become a pivot in spreading Japanese culture to younger Indian generations and accommodating Japanese Masters to interact mutually with Indian citizens,” remarked Suzuki.

In her constant endeavour to create awareness about Ikebana, Misra has held several demonstrations and exhibitions in many events while also writing articles about this art form.