New Delhi:
President Draupadi Murmu on Monday presented the prestigious Padma Awards to 71 prestigious persons at a civil investment ceremony held at Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The honor included four Padma Vibhan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 57 Padma Shri Awards, recognizing outstanding contribution in diverse fields.
The program marked the first phase of the Padma Award presentations for the year 2025.
Famous violinist L. Subramaniam was awarded the Padma Vibhan for his extraordinary contribution in the field of art. Late Osamu Suzuki, former CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation, was posthumously honored with Padma Vibhan for his contribution to trade and industry. His son and current CEO Toshihiro Suzuki accepted the award on his behalf.
In the field of art, filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor, actor and MLA from Andhra Pradesh Nandamuri Balakrishna, actor S. Ajit Kumar and late singer Pankaj Udhas were awarded the Padma Bhushan. The award for Pankaj Udhas was received by his wife Farida Udhas. Former Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his achievements in the game.
Notable Padma Shri recipients included music for excellence in sports and playback singer Jaspinder Narula for his contribution to Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin.
Prominent Vedic scholar Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid was also honored with Padma Shri. He is credited with determining the auspicious time for the consecration of Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and the foundation ceremony of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.
American writer and researcher Stephen Kannap, known for his writing on Vedic culture and spirituality, was awarded the Padma Shri for his work in literature and education.
Among the highest civilian honors of India, Padma Awards, Art, Public Affairs, Science and Engineering, Medical, Social Work, Literature and Education are presented annually to individuals for extraordinary service.
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