New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the eve of Republic Day announced the recipients for Padma awards.
Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, were instituted in the year 1954 and are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March or April every year. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised this year’s Padma awardees.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, “We are proud of all those who have been conferred the Padma Awards. India cherishes their contribution to the nation and humanity at large. These exceptional individuals from different walks of life have brought qualitative changes in the lives of others.”
We are proud of all those who have been conferred the Padma Awards. India cherishes their contribution to the nation and humanity at large. These exceptional individuals from different walks of life have brought qualitative changes in the lives of others. https://t.co/wYOU3wxavE
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2021
The award recognises achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved. The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
This year, the President has approved conferment of 119 Padma awards –seven Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been awarded Padma Vibhushan for his achievement in the field of public affairs. Other recipients include noted singer SP Balasubramaniam, who passed died in a Chennai hospital last year after almost two months of treatment.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, former Principal Secretary to PM Modi Nripendra Misra, former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan (posthumous), former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi (posthumous) are among the ten recipients who have been awarded with Padma Bhushan this year.
Meanwhile, 29 women are among the Padma awardees and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of foreigners, NRI, PIO AND OCI and one transgender. Sixteen people have been given the award posthumously.
-CHK
