Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines namely art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

This year the government received around 1607 nominations for the Padma awards but now only 89 names have been finalised, making it the shortest list in years. The list comprises of 7 Padma Vibhushan, 7 Padma Bhushan and 75 Padma Shri. The list of Padma awardees cannot exceed more than 120 names. 

Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award is for distinguished service in any field. Awardees are:

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli

First female Paralympics medallist Deepa Malik

Gymnast Dipa Karmarkar

Discus thrower and Shot putter Vikas Gowda

Hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh

Playback singer Kailash Kher

 Film critic Bhavna Somaiya

Singer Anuradha Paudwal

Olympian Sakshi Malik, the first Indian woman to win a medal in Olympics in Wrestling

Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, is awarded for distinguished service of high order. The awardee are:

Mohanveena maestro Vishwa Mohan Bhat

Padma Vibhushan, second highest civilian award is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. Awardees are:

Maratha strongman and NCP leader Sharad Pawar

83-year-old BJP veteran and former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi

Late former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma

Late Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Sunder Lal Patwah

Legendary singer KJ Yesudas

Apart from these well-known personalities, the centre this year will also felicitate ‘unsung heroes’ of the country. Among them a 76-year-old martial arts expert, a weaver, doctors, environmentalists and civic workers. 

Over the years, these silent workers have enriched India in many ways – from cleaning up clogged rivers to building bridges at one-tenth the time and cost or saving thousands from fires, road accidents or trafficking.

(All pictures sourced from PTI)