The Padma Awards are presented once a year to exceptional Indians, and non-Indians whose contribution has been vital to India.
Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan awards were presented this year.
Two awardees, the Bengali singer, Ms. Sandhya Mukherjee, and the ex- Chief Minister of Bengal, Shri Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, rejected their Padma awards. The former mentioned that it was not an adequate recognition after 4 decades of contribution. Shri Buddhadev mentioned that he cannot accept awards as a matter of party policy. He belongs to the Communist Party of India.
4 Padma Vibhushans, 17 Padma Bhushans, and 107 Padma Shris were presented this year.
4 of the awardees are from outside India. These are:
Padma Bhushan
A. Ms. Madhur Jaffrey – UK
B. Mr. Sundar Pichai and Mr. Satya Nadella – both USA
Padma Shri
Dr. Prokar Dasgupta – UK
Here are some of the citations. All images by PIB.
