Padma Awards announced on Republic Day

On January 26, 2020, Government of India announced 141 Padma Awards on the occasion of 71^st Republic Day celebrations.

Highlights

Former Union Ministers George Fernandes, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are to be awarded with Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Former PM of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth, Boxer MC Mary Kom, Hindustani classical vocalist Chhannulal Mishra are also to be awarded with the prestigious award.

The former CM of Goa Manohar Parrikar is to be conferred with the award posthumously.

Two Bangladeshis are to awarded honoured with Padma awards as well. It includes High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Mr Syed Muazzem Ali who passed away in 2014. He rebelled against the Pakistani Government and declared his allegiance to Bangladesh in 1971. He was serving in the Pakistan embassy during his allegiance.

Padma Awards

The awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India. The awards are presented in three categories namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. The awards are conferred based on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee. The committee is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. However, the nomination process is open to the public as well. Even self-nominations are allowed.

Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished services. Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service and Padma Bhushan is awarded for distinguished service of high order.