President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Padma honors to various esteemed individuals on Monday for their significant contributions to the nation in fields like arts, cinema, public service, and music. Among the recipients, Bollywood actor Dharmendra was honored with the Padma Vibhushan for his exceptional service in the arts, with the award being received by his wife and MP, Hema Malini.
Noted violinist N Rajam was also bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan during the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and renowned banker Uday Kotak were among those recognized with the Padma Bhushan.
This year, the Government announced a total of 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Of the awardees, 19 are women, and 16 will be honored posthumously. The Padma Awards, comprising Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are esteemed as some of the highest civilian honors in the country.
During the initial civil investiture ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu conferred 66 Padma Awards, including 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan, and 58 Padma Shri. The remaining awards will be presented in a subsequent round of the ceremony, with the date to be announced later. Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day to acknowledge the achievements of distinguished Indians in various fields such as Arts, Literature, Education, Sports, Medicine, and more.
