On January 26, 2025, coinciding with India’s 76th Republic Day, the government announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards. These honors, among the nation’s highest civilian accolades, are bestowed annually to recognize exceptional contributions across various fields, including art, literature, science, public affairs, and more.
The Padma Awards are categorized into three tiers:
- Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan: Conferred for distinguished service of a high order.
- Padma Shri: Given for distinguished service in any field.
This year, a total of 139 individuals were honored: 7 with the Padma Vibhushan, 19 with the Padma Bhushan, and 113 with the Padma Shri.
Padma Vibhushan Awardees
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, was bestowed upon seven distinguished individuals:
- Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine): Recognized for his groundbreaking work in gastroenterology, Dr. Reddy has made significant advancements in endoscopic procedures, benefiting countless patients.
- Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs): As the 44th Chief Justice of India, Justice Khehar is noted for his landmark judgments and contributions to the Indian judiciary.
- Kumudini Lakhia (Art): A celebrated Kathak dancer and choreographer, Lakhia has been instrumental in innovating and popularizing the dance form globally.
- Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art): An acclaimed violinist, Subramaniam has seamlessly blended Carnatic and Western classical music, enthralling audiences worldwide.
- M.T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) (Literature and Education): A literary giant, Nair’s novels and screenplays have left an indelible mark on Malayalam literature and cinema.
- Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) (Trade and Industry): The former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Suzuki played a pivotal role in revolutionizing India’s automobile industry through Maruti Suzuki.
- Sharda Sinha (Posthumous) (Art): A renowned folk singer from Bihar, Sinha’s melodious voice brought regional music to the national stage.
Padma Bhushan Awardees
Nineteen individuals were honored with the Padma Bhushan for their distinguished contributions:
- A. Surya Prakash (Literature and Education – Journalism): A veteran journalist, Prakash has provided insightful analyses on Indian politics and governance.
- Anant Nag (Art): A versatile actor, Nag’s performances in Kannada cinema have garnered critical acclaim.
- Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) (Literature and Education): An economist and scholar, Debroy’s translations of ancient Indian texts have made them accessible to contemporary readers.
- Jatin Goswami (Art): A Sattriya dancer, Goswami has been a torchbearer for this classical dance form from Assam.
- Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram (Medicine): A pioneering cardiac surgeon, Dr. Periappuram performed the first successful heart transplant in Kerala.
- Kailash Nath Dikshit (Archaeology): Dikshit’s excavations have unearthed significant insights into India’s ancient civilizations.
- Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) (Public Affairs): A seasoned politician, Joshi served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti (Trade and Industry): A textile magnate, Chetti is known for his contributions to the handloom sector and philanthropy.
- Nandamuri Balakrishna (Art): An actor and politician, Balakrishna has made significant contributions to Telugu cinema.
- P.R. Sreejesh (Sports): The stalwart goalkeeper of India’s hockey team, Sreejesh played a crucial role in securing an Olympic medal after four decades.
- Pankaj Patel (Trade and Industry): As the chairman of Cadila Healthcare, Patel has been influential in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) (Art): A ghazal maestro, Udhas’s soulful renditions have captivated audiences for decades.
- Rambahadur Rai (Literature and Education – Journalism): A journalist and author, Rai has chronicled significant events in India’s political history.
- Sadhvi Ritambhara (Social Work): Known for her social initiatives, she has worked towards women’s empowerment and education.
- S. Ajith Kumar (Art): A distinguished figure in the field of art, Kumar’s contributions have been widely recognized.
- Shekhar Kapur (Art): An internationally acclaimed filmmaker, Kapur’s works like “Bandit Queen” and “Elizabeth” have received global accolades.
- Shobana Chandrakumar (Art): A Bharatanatyam dancer and actress, Shobana has mesmerized audiences with her performances.
- Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) (Public Affairs): A prominent political figure, Modi served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.
- Vinod Dham (Science and Engineering): Known as the ‘Father of the Pentium Chip,’ Dham’s innovations have significantly impacted the tech industry.
Padma Shri Awardees
The Padma Shri recognized 113 individuals for their distinguished service across various fields. Some notable awardees include:
- Adwaita Charan Gadanayak was recognized for his profound contributions to the visual arts, bringing Indian art to a global audience.
- Achyut Ramchandra Palav, a master calligrapher, was celebrated for elevating calligraphy into a recognized form of visual art.
- Arijit Singh, a household name, received the award for his unmatched influence on Indian music through his soulful melodies.
- Anil Kumar Boro was recognized for his efforts in promoting indigenous languages and knowledge systems.
- Academician Arunoday Saha was honored for his transformative contributions to education.
- Ajay V Bhatt, known as the co-creator of USB technology, was celebrated for his revolutionary work in technology.
- Ashutosh Sharma, an engineering innovator, received the honor for his cutting-edge advancements in materials science and nanotechnology.
- Immunologist Chetan E Chitnis was recognized for his impactful research in infectious diseases, improving healthcare outcomes globally.