Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister late Kalyan Singh often termed a Hindutva icon, and actor Victor Banerjee were among the 65 distinguished personalities who were conferred with Padma awards by President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday. This year, the first civil investiture ceremony was held on March 21 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during which 54 personalities were given the Padma awards.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Smt Lalita Vakil for Art. A Chamba Rumal embroiderer, her main objective is to preserve, practice and impart the training of this cultural dying form.
Some precious moments from today’s Padma Awards ceremony.
Amongst the prominent awardees at the second investiture ceremony were Padma Vibhushan recipients Kalyan Singh (posthumous), during whose tenure the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, and classical vocalist Prabha Atre. Singh's son Rajveer Singh, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh's Etah, received the honour.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shriguru Dr Balaji Tambe (Posthumous) for Medicine. Founder of Atmasantulana village, Santulan Ayurveda and Aum-Kurzentrum, he was known for exceptional contributions in the field of Ayurveda and Yoga.
The Padma Bhushan recipients include actor Victor Banerjee, and Krishna Murthy Ella and Suchitra Krishna Ella of Bharat Biotech, the maker of coronavirus vaccine Covaxin, an official statement said. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai were among those who were named for the Padma Bhushan. However, they were absent at Monday's event.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Sant Baba lqbal Singh (Posthumous) for Social Work. He was the pioneer of values-based education method at 129 CBSE affiliated schools in the villages of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
Some precious moments from today’s Padma Awards ceremony.
The Padma Shri awardees include the country's first individual Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra. This year, no names were announced for the 'Bharat Ratna', India's highest civilian award, which was last awarded in 2019 to former president Pranab Mukherjee, social reformer Nanaji Deshmukh and noted singer Bhupen Hazarika. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda were among those present on the occasion.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Vidya Vindu Singh for Literature and Education. She is an educationist, writer, editor, speaker, propagator of Indian folk, religion and culture for more than 60 years.
The awards are conferred in three categories - Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, and Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Rutger Kortenhorst for Literature and Education. He is a Sanskrit enthusiast, researcher and teacher in the John Scottus Schools, Dublin. He has been a pioneer in propagating Sanskrit in Ireland.
Some precious moments from today’s Padma Awards ceremony.
These awards are given in various disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service. The awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day every year and are conferred by the president at ceremonial functions which are held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Sonu Nigam for Art. A well-known singer and music director, he has sung over 6,000 songs in more than 28 languages.
Some precious moments from today’s Padma Awards ceremony.
Since 2014 when it came to power for the first time, the Modi government has been honouring with Padma awards many "unsung heroes" who have been contributing to society in different ways. This year's total list comprises four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri awards.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Tatiana Shaumyan for Literature and Education. She is Head of the Centre for Indian Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences. She is a specialist in India’s Foreign Policy and International Relations in Asian countries.
Thirty-four of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 people from the category of foreigners, Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India, besides 13 posthumous awardees. Former West Bengal chief minister and CPI-M leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who was among the Padma Bhushan awardees, had refused to accept the honour.
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