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Explore the historical context of the Padma Bhushan awards, their relevance to Indian governance, and their values

 

Introduction:

The Padma Bhushan is one of India's highest civilian awards. The awards are Bharat Ratna in first place, Padma Vibhushan in second place, Padma Bhushan in third place, and Padma Shri in fourth place. The Padma Bhushan award was instituted on 2 January 1954 to reward high-quality service without distinction of caste, profession, rank or gender. The award is given for services rendered by various government employees including doctors and scientists. However, people working in public sector undertakings are excluded from the list of awards. As of 2020, about 1,270 people have been awarded this award. Of these, 24 have been posthumously and 97 have been awarded to non-citizens.

 

Table of contents:

• What is the Padma Bhushan Award?
• What is the purpose of the Padma Bhushan Award?
• History of the Padma Bhushan Award
• Selection Process for the Padma Bhushan Award
• Categories and Fields of Recognition
• Notable Padma Bhushan Awardees over the Decades
• Padma Bhushan Awardees in 2025
• Significance and Impact of the Padma Bhushan Award
• Controversies & Criticisms

 

• What is the Padma Bhushan Award?

The Padma Bhushan Award is India's third-highest civilian award, instituted by the Government of India in 1954 to honor outstanding contributions in the fields of art, literature, science, public welfare, sports, and social work. The award is announced every year on Republic Day (26 January) at Rashtrapati Bhavan and is conferred by the President of India.

• What is the purpose of the Padma Bhushan Award:

The primary objectives of the Padma Bhushan Award, conferred by the Government of India in recognition of distinguished service of high caliber in various fields such as art, literature, science, public welfare, sports, and social work, include:

• Recognizing excellence: Recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society.
• Encouraging achievement: Inspiring professionals in various fields to achieve excellence.
• National recognition: Highlighting worthy individuals in the national spotlight for their influential work.
• Promoting public service: Increasing beneficial contributions to the nation and humanity.
• Enhancing India's prestige: Showcasing Indian talent and achievements globally.

 

• History of the Padma Bhushan Award:

The Padma Awards include the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Shri. The Padma Bhushan, the third highest award in the Padma Awards hierarchy, is given for outstanding contribution to the nation. The awards were instituted by the President of India in 1954 to honor distinguished individuals in various fields. The first Padma Bhushan recipients included Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher, and Vikram Sarabhai. The Padma Awards were presented annually on Republic Day (26 January). The awards have been changed, with a break in 1977 and 1993–1997. These honorary awards reflect India's development and changing social values.

• Selection Process for the Padma Bhushan Award:

The selection process for the Padma Bhushan Award is conducted by the Padma Awards Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The selection process for this award is extremely rigorous and transparent.

Nomination Process: Government agencies, eminent personalities and institutions, and self-nominations can be submitted for Padma Awards. The self-nomination process, which was introduced in 2016, is open every year till May or June and is available for submission till September.

Screening and Shortlisting: After the submission of nominations, a screening committee comprising the Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, various ministries, and representatives from the field reviews the applications. At this stage, the contribution of each nominee is thoroughly evaluated, ensuring the fairness and integrity of the selection and preparing a shortlist.

Final Approval: Finally, the final list of awardees is presented to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval. The President officially announced the names of the awardees on Republic Day.

• Categories and Fields of Recognition:

The Padma Bhushan Award is conferred in various categories, including but not limited to:

• Art & Culture: Music, dance, theater, painting, sculpture, cinema, and literature.
• Science & Engineering: Innovations in technology, space research, medical science, and engineering.
• Trade & Industry: Business, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership.
• Public Affairs: Politics, governance, and administrative services.
• Social Work: Humanitarian services, NGO work, and contributions to social welfare.
• Sports: Achievements in national and international sports events.
• Medicine: Contributions to healthcare, medical research, and surgery.
• Education & Literature: Contributions to academia, writing, and knowledge dissemination.

 

• Notable Padma Bhushan Awardees Over the Decades:

Over the years, the Padma Bhushan has been conferred upon numerous luminaries across various domains. Here are some distinguished recipients:

Art & Literature:

• 1964: R.K. Narayan the legendary Indian writer and author of Malgudi Days.
• 2001: Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most celebrated actors in India.
• 2004: Famous poet, lyricist, and film director Gulzar, for his contributions to Indian cinema.

Science & Technology:

• 2001: C.N.R. Rao, a distinguished scientist of solid-state chemistry.
• 2001: The Metro Man of India, Dr. E. Sreedharan, for revolutionizing India's public transport system.

Public Affairs & Civil Services:

• 1966: Father of the White Revolution in India, Verghese Kurien, for the success of Amul.
• 2008: Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys.

Sports:

• 2008: Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
• 2020: Olympic medal-winning badminton player P.V. Sindhu.

 

• Padma Bhushan Awardees in 2025:

In the year 2025, 19 eminent personalities from various fields were awarded the Padma Bhushan. Notable among them are:

• Shri A. Surya Prakash: In the field of literature and education, for his significant contributions to Indian journalism and literature, from Karnataka.
• Shri Anant Nag: A veteran actor and a prominent figure in Indian cinema, especially the Kannada film industry, from Karnataka.
• Shri Vivek Devaraya: A respected economist and writer from NCT of Delhi, he was honored posthumously for his contributions to literature and education.
• Shri Jatin Goswami: A native of Assam, an outstanding figure in the field of dance.
• Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram: A renowned medical professional from Kerala, for his significant strides in the field of medicine.
• Shri Kailash Nath Dixit: For his huge contribution to the preservation and study of India's rich heritage, from NCT Delhi.
• Shri Manohar Joshi: As a prominent political figure, for his contribution to public service, from Maharashtra.
• Shri Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetty: For his significant role in the promotion of Indian textiles, as a prominent figure in the trade and industry of Tamil Nadu.
• Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna: For his significant contributions to Indian cinema as a renowned actor from Andhra Pradesh.
• Shri P.R. Sreejesh: A key player in Indian hockey, for succeeding in international tournaments, from Kerala.
• Shri Pankaj Patel: As a notable figure in the trade and industry of Gujarat, for his contribution to the pharmaceutical sector.
• Shri Pankaj Udas: A legendary Ghazal singer from Maharashtra, honored posthumously for his contribution to Indian music.
• Shri Ram Bahadur Roy: As a respected journalist, for his significant contributions to literature and education, from Uttar Pradesh.
• Sadhvi Ritambhara: Known for her social work, Sadhvi Ritambhara from Uttar Pradesh was active in various social initiatives.
• Shri S. Ajith Kumar: A prominent figure in the arts of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ajith Kumar has made significant contributions to Indian cinema.
• Shri Shekhar Kapur: An internationally acclaimed filmmaker from Maharashtra, recognized for his exceptional work in films.
• Smt. Shobhana Chandrakumar: A renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and actress from Tamil Nadu.
• Shri Sushil Kumar Modi: A prominent political leader from Bihar, honored for his public service.
• Shri Vinod Dham: For his significant role in the advancement of technology and engineering, based in the US.

• Significance and Impact of the Padma Bhushan Award:

The Padma Bhushan Award plays a crucial role in recognizing and honoring exceptional individuals who contribute significantly to the nation's progress. The award not only acknowledges achievements but also serves as an inspiration for future generations to strive for excellence in their respective fields. The impact of the award includes:

• Encouragement for Excellence: Recognizing achievers motivates individuals to excel in their careers and contribute to society.
• National Pride: Awardees bring glory to India on both national and international platforms.
• Promotion of Diverse Fields: The recognition extends to various sectors, from arts to science, ensuring balanced development.

• Controversies & Criticisms:

The Padma Bhushan Award has faced occasional criticism, including:

• Political Bias: Some argue that certain awardees are chosen due to political connections rather than merit.
• Overlooking Deserving Candidates: Occasionally, deserving individuals are either ignored or recognized too late.
• Rejections by Awardees: Some recipients, such as historian Romila Thapar, have declined the award, citing personal reasons or ideological differences.

Despite these challenges, the Padma Bhushan remains a highly respected honor in India.

Conclusion:

The Padma Bhushan Award is a symbol of excellence and dedication, celebrating individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society. From literature to science, from social service to sports, the award acknowledges and honors those who have significantly impacted India and beyond. As the nation continues to grow and evolve, the Padma Bhushan will remain a beacon of inspiration for future generations, reminding them that dedication, perseverance, and contribution to society are always recognized and celebrated.