Padma Awards (The Award of Excellence)

The Government of India is working hard to achieve this goal by renaming the Padma Awards the “People’s Padma.” In recent years, the Padma Awards have placed a greater emphasis on the nominees’ work rather than their names. The Padma Awards have evolved into a people’s movement, signalling a paradigm shift in Jan-Bhagidari for the creation of a New India. Furthermore, rather than the conventional practice of recommending candidates to a small group of people, the nomination process has become increasingly broad-based, with nominations accessible to the general public. This has allowed true grassroots heroes to be recognized, whose relentless efforts and extraordinary exploits have impacted lives in their communities and beyond. 

History of Padma Awards 

The Indian government established two civilian honours in 1954: the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan. PehlaVarg, DusraVarg, and TisraVarg were the three classes in the latter. These were renamed on January 8, 1955, by the presidential notions as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. One of India’s highest civilian honours is the Padma Award. Except for minor interruptions during the years 1978 and 1979, and 1993 to 1997, it is announced every year on Republic Day.

Categories and their significance 

• Padma Vibhushan: The Padma Vibhushan is India’s second-highest civilian honour. It is given in recognition of exceptional and distinguished service. It was previously known as Pahela Varg (Class I). The prize was given to six persons in 1954.

• Padma Bhushan: The Padma Bhushan is the country’s third-highest civilian honour. It is given in recognition of service of a high order. It was previously known as Dusra Varg (Class II). The prize was given to twenty-three recipients in 1954.

• Padma Shri: Padma Shri is the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour. It is given in recognition of outstanding service. It was previously known as Teesra Varg (Class III). The prize was given to seventeen persons in 1954.

Criteria for deciding winners 

The Padma Awards Committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and appointed by the Prime Minister of India, receives all nominations for the Padma awards. The committee includes the Secretary of State, the President’s Secretary, and a few other notables.

Until April 2015, the government ministers were in charge of recommending candidates for the Padma awards. However, in 2015, the government proclaimed that any Indian citizen can recommend nominations for the Padma awards and that this is an internet process. The government permitted self-nomination for the awards by putting the nomination process online. This change was made to encourage the community to contribute more to the growth of the country.

Facts about Padma Awards

1. In 1954, the Padma Awards were established. These prizes have been given out every year on Republic Day since 1978, with the exception of 1978 and 1979, and 1993 to 1997.

2. These prizes are open to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, occupation, position, or gender.

3. Government employees, including those who work for PSUs, are not eligible for these rewards, with the exception of doctors and scientists.

4. In most cases, the prize is not given posthumously. However, if the person to be honoured died recently the government can consider it granting posthumously.

5. The Awards Committee’s suggestions are forwarded to the Prime Minister and President for their approval.

6. The recipients’ names are published in the Indian Gazette. Any person’s award of the decoration may be revoked or cancelled by the President.

7. The award is not a title, and it cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardee’s name on letterheads, invitation cards, posters, books, or other printed materials. In case of misuse by an awardee, the award will be taken back or forfeited.

8. Every year on the 26th of January, the President of India announces the winners and presents them at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

9. The recipients are presented with a medallion and a Sanad signed by India’s President.

10. A tiny replica of the medallion is also handed to the recipient, which they can wear during ceremonial and State ceremonies.

11. These awards do not include any monetary compensation or any type of concession or incentive in terms of rail or air travel.

12. Padma awards nominations are held every year between May 1st and September 15th.

13. Only after a time of at least five years has passed since the previous Padma award has been granted may a higher category of Padma award be conferred.

14. The award honours noteworthy and extraordinary achievements/service in all spheres of activity/disciplines, including Art, Literature, Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry, and so on.

Padma award- 2022 Recipients 

There were four Padma Vibhushans, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 107 Padma Shri on this year’s list. Thirty-four of the recipients are women, and the list also includes ten foreigners, non-resident Indians, and Indian citizens living abroad, as well as thirteen posthumous awardees.

Conclusion

After the Bharat Ratna awards, the Padma awards are India’s second-highest honorary civilian honours. Padma awards are given to at least 120 citizens per year who demonstrate extraordinary and distinguished contributions in disciplines such as science and engineering, social services, arts, medicine, sports, and so on.