At the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II on Wednesday, President Droupadi Murmu handed three Padma Vibhushan, five Padma Bhushan, and 47 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2023.
Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah were among those in attendance. Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, was bestowed upon Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav (posthumous), famous paediatrician Dilip Mahalanabis (posthumous), and mathematician SR Shrinaivasa Varadhan.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son, Akhilesh Yadav, got the honour in memory of his late father.
Padma Bhushan was also bestowed upon philanthropist Sudha Murty, SL Bhyrappa, Deepak Dhar, Vani Jairam (posthumously), and Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji.
President Draupadi Murmu presented President MM Keeravaani with the fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, at a gilded ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.
President Murmu conferred the fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, on actor Raveena Tandon.
Expressing her gratitude for being picked for the top honour, Tandon earlier said, “Honoured and grateful. Thank you so much, Government of India, for acknowledging my contributions, my life, my passion and my purpose — cinema and the arts, that allowed me to contribute, not only to the film industry but beyond. I thank all those who guided me through this journey of Art and Craft of Cinema — all those who held my hand through it, and all those who watched me from their place above. I owe this to my father.”
Veteran craft artist Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadari, who received Padma Shri told ANI, “I tried for 10 years to get this award. When BJP govt came, I thought I will not get this award because BJP never gives anything to Muslims, but PM Modi proved me wrong by choosing me for this award.”
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he received the award. “During Congress rule, I didn’t get it (Padma Shri). I thought BJP govt will not give it to me but you proved me wrong,” said Quadari.
Buddhist spiritual leader and head of the Thiksey monastery, Kushok Thiksey Nawang Chamba Stanzin received Padma Shri on Wednesday.
“I have received an award for encouraging people to live together. PM Modi is doing a lot of work for the people of Ladakh. I am working for the upcoming generation,” Stanzin told ANI.
Anand Kumar was awarded the Padma Shri by President Murmu for his contributions to literature and education. Anand Kumar, the Super 30 founder, is a trailblazing educator who has assisted poor kids in gaining admission to India’s top educational institutions.
