New Delhi, May 28 -- Jonas Masetti, founder of Vishva Vidya Gurukulam in Brazil, expressed gratitude to the Indian government on being conferred the Padma Shri award.

Speaking to ANI, Jonas Masetti said that it is a "great honour" for him and stated that he used to work as a mechanical engineer with top companies in Brazil. Masetti stated that he felt "empty" and was looking for a "meaning of life".

The latter mentioned that he learned the Vedic culture and ended up in Swami Dayananda's ashram in Tamil Nadu. Masetti added that he had to go back to Brazil and spread the message of the Vedas.

"I was not expecting this. It's a great honour... Many people in Brazil are studying Vedanta, and this is an honour not just for me but for our fam...