Padma Awards in 2024: In the eve of Republic Day 2024, India witnessed a significant moment as the names of the distinguished personalities to be honored with the Padma Awards were announced. This year marked a historical milestone, with 132 individuals being acknowledged for their exceptional contributions across various fields, making it the largest group ever to be conferred with these prestigious awards.
Breaking New Ground: Representation and Inclusion
For the first time, a remarkable number of awardees hail from the Other Backward Classes (OBC), with 40 individuals being recognized, showcasing India’s commitment to inclusivity and representation. This progressive step reflects the nation’s dedication to honoring the contributions of all its citizens, regardless of their background.
In addition to this, the Padma Awards this year also saw a significant number of recipients from various social groups, further emphasizing the diversity of the awardees. Eleven individuals from the Scheduled Castes and fifteen from the Scheduled Tribes were honored, along with nine from the Christian community, adding a rich layer of cultural diversity to the awards. Furthermore, the Muslim community saw eight recipients, while the Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, and Parsi communities had five, three, two, and two awardees, respectively.
The Prestige of the Padma Awards
The Padma Awards are considered the highest form of civilian honor in India. These awards are categorized into three distinct groups: the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. They are given in recognition of a wide range of contributions in fields such as the arts, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
In 2024, out of the 132 Padma Awards, there were five Padma Vibhushans, seventeen Padma Bhushans, and 110 Padma Shris. This distribution highlights the diverse areas of excellence recognized by these awards. Among the recipients, thirty women were honored, reflecting the role of women in leading and shaping various sectors of society. Additionally, the international community was also recognized, with eight foreigners receiving awards, and nine individuals were posthumously honored, showing respect and remembrance for their contributions.
Posthumous Honors: Remembering the Departed
This year, several individuals were posthumously awarded for their enduring legacy and impact. Among them, Bindeshwar Pathak from Bihar was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan. Fatima Bibi from Kerala, Satyabrat Mukherjee from West Bengal, T Rinpoche from Ladakh, and Vijayakant from Tamil Nadu were posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan. Additionally, Surendra Mohan Mishra from Uttar Pradesh, PC Nambudripad from Kerala, Harish Naik from Gujarat, and Nepal Chandra Sutradhar from West Bengal were honored posthumously with the Padma Shri.
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