The Rashtrapati Bhawan organized the Padma Awards this year, with President Ram Nath Kovind conferring Padma Awards on 74 distinguished personalities, including former BJP leader late Kalyan Singh and actor Victor Banerjee. This year, the list comprised four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri’s.
Amongst all awardees, 34 were women and the list also included 10 people from the category of Foreigners, Non Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India, along with 13 posthumous awardees. Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist was awarded the Padma Shri, whereas the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Singh was honored with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his contributions in the field of Public Affairs.
Consequently, Abdul Khader Nadakattin, a grassroots agriculture innovator from Karnataka’s Dharwad received the Padma Shri award from President Ram Nath Kovind. Nadakattin has performed over 40 innovations for assisting small and marginal farmers across the country. President Ram Nath Kovind also awarded Rutger Kortenhorst, a professor of Ireland, with Padma Shri for his contribution in popularizing Sanskrit in Irish schools.
“I work to promote Sanskrit because I love this language. I live in Ireland where we teach our students the Sanskrit language. Sanskrit gives people a deeper understanding of themselves. I am delighted and honored to receive the Padma Shri Award,” said Kortenhorst.
Renowned scholar Acharya Vashishtha Tripathi, Actor Victor Banerjee, Odia writer Dr Pratibha Ray, Dr Krishna Ella and wife Suchitra Ella, founders of Bharat Biotech, manufacturer of Covaxin were among the Padma Bhushan recipients. Union Home Minister made the announcement for this year’s Padma awards in January.
Padma awards are considered one of the highest civilian recognitions in India. It is awarded in several disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science, medicine, trade and industry, education, literature, sports, and civil service, among others. Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for the distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any of the fields across multiple domain.
