President Pranab Mukherjee today presented the second ICCR distinguished ideologist award to Prof. Yu Long Yu of China at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan.<br/><br/>On the occasion, the President said, the contribution of foreign scholars to the development of Indology has been critical and their efforts have led to the worldwide awareness of India's rich cultural and civilizational past. <br/><br/>Mr Mukherjee said, it is not surprising that this time the award is being conferred on a scholar from China, a civilization with which India has had age-old academic and cultural exchanges. <br/><br/>The President said, these mutually inspiring relationships were further reinforced by the impelling ties of religion, trade and cultural affinities. Our correspondent reports that Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar and ICCR President Prof. Lokesh Chandra were also present on the occasion.<br/><br/>Prof. Yu Long Yu, Professor and Director at the Centre for Indian Studies, Shenzhen University, has studied Indology for half a century and is the pioneer for Indology in South China. He has set up the Centre for Indian Studies and Tan Yunshan Sino-Indian Friendship Museum in Shenzhen University.