PADMA AWARDS

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Context: The Padma Awards, considered to be the highest civilian honours in India, were presented by the Indian President.

About Padma Award

• The Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, are one of the highest civilian honours of India, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.
• The Awards are given in three categories:
  • ‘Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
  • ‘Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of a high order.
  • 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field.
• The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
• The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities; art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
• The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
• The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.
• All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. However, Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
• The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
• The awards are presented by the President of India usually in the month of March/April every year where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
• The recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc. if the awardees so desire.
• The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
  • For the year 2023, the President has approved the conferment of 106 Padma. The list comprises 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 91 Padma Shri Awards.
• There are 19 female award recipients on the list, along with two foreigners, Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and seven posthumous recipients.
• The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.

Important Personalities in the list of Padma Award 2023

• Padma Vibhushan
  • Balkrishna Doshi (Posthumous) for Architecture.
  • Zakir Hussain for Art.
  • Zakir Hussain (Art)
  • Mulayam Singh Yadav (Posthumous) for Public Affairs.
• Padma Bhushan
  • Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla for Trade & Industry.
  • Sudha Murty for Social Work.
• Padma Shri
  • Rakesh Radheshyam Jhunjhunwala (Posthumous) for Trade & Industry.
  • Raveena Ravi Tandon for Art.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following Statement; 1. The highest civilian honour "Padma Awards" are presented by the Indian Prime Minister. 2. The award is not conferred posthumously. 3. The award title cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ names. Which of the following Statement is/are incorrect? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: A Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: The Padma Awards, considered to be the highest civilian honours in India, were presented by the Indian President. Statement 2 is incorrect: The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously. Statement 3 is correct: The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/padma-awards-2023-president-droupadi-murmu-confers-padma-bhushan-award-to-kumar-mangalam-birla/articleshow/98914580.cms