A Canadian scholar and author of The Bhagavad Gita Comes Alive has been given the Distinguished Indologist 2021 award by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). In a ceremony held in Vancouver, India’s consul-general presented the award to Jeffrey Armstrong, founder of the Vedic Academy of Science & Arts, and author of The Bhagavad Gita Comes Alive, the world’s first decolonized English translation of India’s oldest scripture.

VANCOUVER – A Canadian scholar and author of The Bhagavad Gita Comes Alive has been given the Distinguished Indologist 2021 award by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

 In a ceremony held in Vancouver, India’s consul-general presented the award to Jeffrey Armstrong, founder of the Vedic Academy of Science & Arts, and author of The Bhagavad Gita Comes Alive, the world’s first decolonized English translation of India’s oldest scripture.

Armstrong is the first Canadian to be awarded the annual prize, which since 2015 has recognized the outstanding contributions of foreign scholars of Indology, the study of Indian history, literature, philosophy, and culture. He was chosen unanimously by a jury of peers in India.

“I am truly honored to be recognized for my life’s work,” said Armstrong, an award-winning author, linguist, and poet who has been teaching Hinduism’s religious texts (the Vedas) for 45 years.

Armstrong is 75 years old. He had a successful 15-year career as an executive in the Silicon Valley and motivational speaker addressing Fortune 500 companies before switching gears entirely to serve as a religious devotee. He has now combined his two careers with a speaker’s series called, The Heart of the Corporate Warrior, and How to Establish Dharmocracy in Business.

His other recent notable work includes spending 10 years “decolonizing” English translations of the Bhagavad Gita, which was written more than 5,000 years ago and still has prevailing global influence, including being found in Hindu households around the world.

“As we navigate life after a pandemic, climate change, and universal calls for social justice, the Gita offers guidance and lessons that are timely, including about ethical and moral dilemmas, politics, and cooperating with nature,” said Armstrong.

Armstrong joins earlier recipients from Germany, China, Japan, UK, and South Korea. He received a citation, gold-plated medallion, and US $20,000.

The ICCR was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first education minister post-Independence. Its objectives are to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs to strengthen India’s external cultural relations.

About Jeffrey Jeffrey Armstrong

Jeffrey Armstrong is best known for his decolonized version of The Bhagavad Gita. He has removed colonial and distorting English words that are constructs of Christianity that do not correctly convey Vedic concepts, like God, sin, lord, many gods, soul, heaven and hell, etc. Through careful etymological and linguistic research, Armstrong reclaims the essential, innate and root meaning of each verse of the Bhagavad Gita. This is an important step for clarifying the universal Sanatana Dharma meanings of the Gita and to make the message of its verses accessible and understandable to all in clear modern English. Available on Amazon worldwide,  www.GitaComesAlive.com, and in India through RUPA Publications.

Armstrong’s lifetime of work includes being a celebrity host on Vedic Vidya for the Citti Media Group. His show helps the audience to understand Sanatana Dharma piece by piece and comes at a very opportune moment in the Vedic renaissance movement happening all over the world today.

Armstrong is also co-chair of the Vedic Friends Association and serves on the advisory board of the British Board of Dharmic Scholars. He mentors and consults with individuals, groups, and organizations to help them incorporate yoga philosophy into their organizational ethos through a focus on Dharma. As part of his long-standing association and sewa to the Hindu community, he is currently hosting a series of talks for the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) on "How To Establish Dharmocracy in Business." www.Dharmocracy.org, www.JeffreyArmstrong.com