President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award in the field of Literature and Education to American author and researcher Stephen Knapp, recognizing his lifelong dedication to promoting Indian traditions and Vedic culture.
In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan shared,
“President Droupadi Murmu presents Padma Shri in the field of Literature and Education to Shri Stephen Knapp. He is an American author, researcher, and speaker dedicated to promoting Indian traditions. He has been helping people of other countries to understand the spiritual depth of India.”
Stephen Knapp, who has authored around 55 books, expressed his deep gratitude for the honor and viewed it as a spiritual recognition from India.
“I’ve published around 55 books of various sizes now on different aspects of Indian history, Indian culture, all for trying to promote the dharma of the Vedic culture of India, and so that is the reason why I’m getting the award, and I’m very grateful for it,” he said.
Knapp added that the award feels like a personal blessing from the country he has devoted his life to.
“Quite honestly, I never expected this to happen, and it’s like a friend of mine said it’s like Mother India who is recognising you for all the decades of service that you’ve done throughout the years of trying to provide a proper understanding of what Vedic culture and Hinduism is,” he shared.
Knapp credited his spiritual journey to the guidance of his gurus, saying,
“It comes naturally for me to want to share this with as many people as possible, and I give all the credit, of course, to my spiritual masters, for without whom I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Initially focused on introducing the Vedas to a Western audience, his work also gained immense appreciation among Indian readers.
“And the original idea was to share with other Westerners. But I was writing about things and in such a way that I also captured a large Indian audience as well, and that opened many doors in the future that led to various lecture tours across India and, quite honestly, some people who like the literature I produced,” he said.
Knapp concluded with heartfelt thanks to the sages and the Hindu cultural legacy that transformed his life.
“Thank you for all the dharamists and Hindus and the rishis of India that gave us this culture, because quite honestly, it has made a complete difference in my life. So once again, I’m very grateful for this and thank you very much,” he said.