NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MARCH 21
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday conferred Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards 2022 at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among the awardees are Padma Vibhushan recipients — Radhey Shyam, former president of Gita Press, and General Bipin Rawat (both in the posthumous category). Rawat died in a tragic chopper crash last year along with his wife and 11 others.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Gurmeet Bawa (Posthumous), N. Chandrasekharan, Devendra Jhajharia, musician Rashid Khan, former Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, chairman of Serum Institute of India Cyrus Poonawalla and Sachchidanand Swami received the Padma Bhushan awards. The Civil Investiture Ceremony–II is scheduled to be held on March 28.
Joined the ceremony in which Padma Awards were conferred on distinguished people from different walks of life. We take great pride in their accomplishments and contribution to society. pic.twitter.com/9wyUcq6L8c
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2022
At today’s ceremony, the President conferred two Padma Vibhushan, eight Padma Bhushan and 54 Padma Shri awards.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr. Jayantkumar Maganlal Vyas for Science and Engineering. He is a veteran forensic scientist and the founder VC of National Forensic Sciences University. With 48 years of experience, he is India's senior most serving forensic scientist. pic.twitter.com/tSlHStWukH
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present on the occasion, tweeted: “Joined the ceremony in which Padma Awards were conferred on distinguished people from different walks of life. We take great pride in their accomplishments and contribution to society.’
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Swami Sivananda for Yoga. Dedicating his life for human welfare, he has been serving leprosy-affected people at Puri for the past 50 years. Born in 1896, his healthy & long life has drawn attention of national & international organisations. pic.twitter.com/TfJhGMHCOV
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022
The announcement for this year’s Padma awards was made by the Union Home Ministry in January this year. A total of 17 personalities were conferred with the Padma Bhushan. Tech giants Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, and Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet, are also on the list, and have been awarded under the category ‘trade and industry’.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra (posthumous) for Civil Service. A career civil servant, he succumbed to covid related complications while working through his illness to coordinate oxygen supplies in the country during the second Covid wave. pic.twitter.com/szUyMiGocX
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022
A total of 107 eminent personalities were honoured with Padma Shri, including Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and singer Sonu Nigam.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Khalil Dhantejvi (posthumous) for Arts. He championed the ascent of Gujarati language in the Ghazal literature. His recitals in Gujarati and Urdu have been pivotal in bringing newer audience to the Ghazal universe. pic.twitter.com/8fPCxZV23r
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022
Padma awards are one of the highest civilian recognitions of the country. The awards are given in several disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service, among others.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Maljibhai Devjibhai Desai for Public Affairs. He is the chairman of Gandhi Ashram Zilia, a charitable trust under whose leadership 11 educational institutions work for the upliftment of socially downtrodden families in Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/zTjX17uzaB
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022
In this year’s Padma list, there are 128 awards, comprising four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri recipients. As many as 34 recipients are women and 13 posthumous awardees.
President Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to Shri Sachchidanand Swami for Literature and Education. A Gujarati social reformer, philosopher, welfare activist and writer, he is involved in various humanitarian activities through Bhakti Niketan Ashram which he himself established. pic.twitter.com/1lvowL5BzR
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Sirpi Balasubramaniam for Literature & Education. Director of Dr Arutchelvar Mahalingam Translation Institute, Pollachi, Shri Balasubramaniam is a Tamil poet and has made notable contribution to Tamil literature for the past 60 years. pic.twitter.com/3KEHVMtmHI
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022