New Delhi, May 25. In a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Draupadi Murmu conferred Padma awards on 66 personalities who made remarkable contributions in various fields. This year, a total of 131 people have been selected for the Padma honors, with the remaining awardees to be honored in the next phase.

At the ceremony, the first award was the posthumous Padma Vibhushan to the late actor Dharmendra Singh Deol. His wife and actress Hema Malini received the honor. Dr. N. Rajam was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan for her special contributions to Indian classical music. Other personalities selected for the Padma Vibhushan will be honored in the upcoming phase.

Among those who received the Padma Bhushan were former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Uday Kotak from the industry, the late Piyush Pandey from the advertising world, V.K. Malhotra, Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, and from the medical field, Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy. Their contributions in various fields were recognized at the national level during the ceremony.

In the Padma Shri awards, many luminaries from sports, arts, literature, social service, medicine, and science were honored. Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was awarded the Padma Shri in the field of sports. Under her leadership, the Indian team achieved a notable feat by winning the ODI World Cup this year.

Several renowned personalities were also honored in the field of arts and culture. Actors R. Madhavan and Prosenjit Chatterjee, dancer Deepika Reddy, and other artists were conferred with the Padma Shri. Meanwhile, many experts and social workers contributing to medicine, education, and social service were also given national honors.

For contributions to the defense manufacturing sector, Chairman of the Solar Group, Satyanarayan Nuval, was awarded the Padma Shri. K. Pazhanivel of Puducherry, who brought global recognition to the traditional martial art ‘Silambam’, was also presented with the Padma Shri. His act of bowing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ceremony also became a topic of discussion.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and many other dignitaries. The Padma awards are considered among the highest civilian honors in the country, awarded for exceptional contributions in arts, social service, public life, science, literature, and other fields.

Who are the personalities included in the list of Padma honors?

Two couples will also receive the Padma award. This will be counted as a single award.

19 women will also be honored by President Draupadi Murmu.

Six foreign/NRI or OCI card holders will also receive Padma honors.

16 personalities will be honored posthumously.

Why are Padma awards given every year?

The Padma awards are conferred every year on personalities who achieve extraordinary accomplishments in various fields, including remarkable contributions in arts, social service, and the public sector. The Padma Vibhushan is for exceptional service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and the Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field. These awards are announced every year on Republic Day.

Padma Vibhushan

Serial Number Name Field State / Country

1 Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) Arts Maharashtra

2 K.T. Thomas Public Service Kerala

3 N. Rajam Arts Uttar Pradesh

4 P. Narayanan Literature and Education Kerala

5 V.S. Achuthanandan (Posthumous) Public Service Kerala

Padma Bhushan

Serial Number Name Field State / Country

1 Alka Yagnik Arts Maharashtra

2 Bhagat Singh Koshyari Public Service Uttarakhand

3 Kallipatti Ramasamy Pal

Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi. Designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, its construction began in 1912 and was completed in 1929, originally serving as the Viceroy’s House during British colonial rule. After India’s independence in 1947, it became the presidential palace, symbolizing the nation’s democratic heritage and architectural grandeur.

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, known as the “Land of the Gods,” is a northern Indian state renowned for its Himalayan landscapes and sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites. Formed in 2000 from the northwestern districts of Uttar Pradesh, its history is deeply rooted in ancient Hindu texts and traditions, with temples like Badrinath and Kedarnath drawing devotees for centuries. The region was historically part of the Kingdom of Garhwal and Kumaon, later coming under British rule before becoming a separate state.

Puducherry

Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry, is a Union Territory in southeastern India with a rich colonial history as a former French settlement. Its unique Franco-Indian culture is reflected in the architecture, cuisine, and layout of the French Quarter, alongside spiritual landmarks like the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the experimental township of Auroville. The city was under French rule for nearly 300 years before being integrated into India in 1954, leaving a lasting blend of European and Tamil traditions.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is a state in western India known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. It was the center of the Maratha Empire under leaders like Shivaji Maharaj, who established a powerful kingdom in the 17th century. Today, it is home to Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital, as well as iconic sites like the Ajanta and Ellora caves, which date back over 2,000 years.

Kerala

Kerala is a state on the southwestern coast of India, known for its lush backwaters, palm-lined beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Historically, it was a major center for the spice trade, attracting ancient traders from the Middle East, Europe, and China. The region’s unique culture blends Dravidian traditions with influences from centuries of maritime commerce and colonial encounters.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, located in northern India, is a historically and culturally significant state often called the “Heartland of India.” It was home to ancient kingdoms, including the Maurya and Gupta empires, and later became a center of Mughal power, with cities like Agra and Fatehpur Sikri showcasing iconic architecture such as the Taj Mahal. The state also holds deep religious importance as the birthplace of Lord Rama in Ayodhya and Lord Krishna in Mathura, and features the sacred city of Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Republic Day

Republic Day is a national holiday in India celebrated on January 26th, marking the adoption of the country’s constitution in 1950. It commemorates India’s transition from a British Dominion to a sovereign, democratic republic. The day is observed with grand parades in New Delhi, showcasing India’s cultural diversity and military strength.