Beginning in 2014, the Modi government recognised several “unsung heroes” who have made significant contributions to disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medical, literature, education, sports, and civil service.
There are 128 awards this year, including two pair cases, announced on the eve of Republic Day and presented by the President at ceremonial festivities conducted at the Rashtrapati Bhawan (in a duo case, the award is counted as one). Padma Vibhushan (for extraordinary and distinguished service).
Padma Bhushan (for distinguished service of a higher level), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service of higher order) are the three categories of awards (distinguished service) that seek to recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
The 54 people honoured by President Ram Nath Kovind with the Padma awards on Monday, March 21, 2022, were among the 54 people honoured by Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran, former Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) Rajiv Mehrishi, and former chairman of Gita Press, Radheshyam Khemka, among the 54 people.
At a civil investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Gen. Rawat and Khemka, who managed the Gita Press, a well-known publisher of Hindu holy literature, were posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award. Gen. Rawat’s medal was accepted by his daughters, while Khemka’s award was accepted by a close family member.
Many of the Padma recipients were “unsung heroes,” such as Swami Sivananda, a 125-year-old yoga practitioner. The audience erupted in applause as a barefoot Sivananda, clothed in a white kurta and dhoti, knelt before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who rose and returned the salutation.
“It feels nice when the country or the government recognizes someone’s work,” said Congressman Ghulam Nabi Azad, who received the Padma Bhushan award in the category of Public Affairs from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
Professor (Ms.) Badaling War received the Padma Shri award from the state of Meghalaya for her contributions to literature and education. She is a professor in NEHU’s Khasi Department. She specialises in Khasi linguistics, literature, culture, and history.
Awardees of the business world
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, often known as “Marathon Man,” began his career at the Tata Consultancy Group as an intern in 1987 and rose through the ranks over the next 30 years to become the company’s CEO.
The prize was given to Sundararajan Pichai, the CEO of the American computer giant Alphabet Inc., and Satya Nadella, the Chairman and CEO of Microsoft.
Poonawalla is the Chairman of the Poonawalla Group, which includes the privately held Serum Institute of India (SII), also known as the maker of the Covishield vaccine; Krishna and Suchitra Ella, who co-founded the Hyderabad-based biotechnology firm Bharat Biotech, which produced India’s first indigenous vaccine – Covaxin – have also received the Padma Bhushan.
Chardikala’s Editor-in-Chief, Jagjit Singh Dardi, is a senior journalist. Sri Guru Harkrishan Public Schools and Chardilkla Time TV’s Chairman were awarded the Padma Shri.
For the first time, paralympic athletes receive Padma Awards.
On Monday, Devendra Jhajharia became the first para-athlete to be awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour. On Monday, Devendra Jhajharia became the first para-athlete to be awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour.
Avani Lekhara, a gold medalist in the 10m air rifle standing event and a bronze medalist in the 50m rifles at the Tokyo Paralympics, was awarded the Padma Shri for her outstanding performance last year.
Along with Jhajharia and Lekhara, gold medalist in javelin throwing Sumit Anil and gold medalist in badminton Pramod Bhagat were among the other Paralympic stars honoured.
Published By : Ankit Singh
Edited By : Khushi Thakur
