Who Are the Legends Honored in the Padma Ceremony?

New Delhi, May 27 (NationPress) In a magnificent ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday awarded the prestigious Padma Awards to 69 distinguished individuals recognized for their remarkable achievements across various domains, including art, literature, education, public affairs, medicine, social work, science, sports, and industry. The event, graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and other esteemed guests, signified the second round of the Padma Awards ceremony for the year 2025.

The Padma Awards, regarded as some of the highest civilian accolades in India, are awarded in three tiers: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. This year, the government announced a total of 139 awardees on the eve of Republic Day.

Among the honorees in this session were 3 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri awardees. The ceremony held particular importance with 13 posthumous recognitions, celebrating legends who have left an enduring impact in their respective fields.

One of the most poignant moments was the posthumous awarding of the Padma Vibhushan to the late Bhojpuri and folk singer Dr. Sharda Sinha, whose melodies resonated profoundly with the heart of India. Her son, Anshuman Sinha, accepted the award on her behalf, honoring the legacy of the iconic singer known for her devotional and Chhath songs.

Other notable Padma Vibhushan recipients included former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar and classical dancer Kumudini Lakhia (posthumous).

The Padma Bhushan awardees featured social activist Sadhvi Ritambhara, recognized for her involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna, and celebrated journalist and author A. Surya Prakash. Among the posthumous Padma Bhushan recipients were legendary singer Pankaj Udhas, veteran politician Manohar Joshi, economist Bibek Debroy, renowned Malayalam writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair, and Osamu Suzuki, the Japanese industrialist instrumental in Suzuki’s collaboration with India.

The majority of honors were awarded under the Padma Shri category, recognizing 57 individuals for their grassroots and innovative contributions throughout the nation. Noteworthy names include playback singer Arijit Singh, cricketer R. Ashwin, author Pratibha Satpathy, former SBI Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya, and violinist Tejendra Narayan Majumdar. The list also featured ten foreign nationals, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs, underscoring India’s appreciation for global contributions.

Significantly, 23 of the awardees were women, illustrating the increasing acknowledgment of female excellence across various sectors. The Padma Awards continue to honor unsung heroes—many hailing from remote areas—who have made substantial contributions without seeking recognition.

This year’s ceremony reaffirms the ethos of “nation first, people first”, with awardees embodying India’s cultural, scientific, and humanitarian richness. The government’s initiatives to democratize the Padma Awards have transformed them into a genuine honor for the people, celebrating not just fame, but impactful service.