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Tag: Padma Bhushan

  • Importance is when rival party honours leader: Raj Babbar on Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Padma Bhushan row

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Amid internal rumblings within the Congress over Ghulam Nabi Azad being awarded Padma Bhushan, Congress leader Raj Babbar took a dig at those criticising Azad within the party, saying the importance of an award is when the rival party honours the achievements of a leader as people can fulfil any wish when it is their own government.

    His remarks come amid speculation over his political future and talk that he is in touch with the Samajwadi Party for a possible switch ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. “The importance of an award is when the rival party honours the achievements of a leader — people can fulfil any wish when it is their own government. I think the ongoing debate about Padma Bhushan is unnecessary,” Babbar said in a tweet in Hindi on Thursday.

    अवार्ड की अहमियत तो तब है जब विरोधी पक्ष किसी नेता की उपलब्धियों को सम्मान दे – अपनी सरकार में तो कोई भी ख़्वाहिश पूरी कर सकते हैं लोग। #PadmaBhushan को लेकर जारी बहस मुझे लगता है ग़ैरज़रूरी है।
    — Raj Babbar (@RajBabbar23) January 27, 2022
    The comments by Babbar, who was among the group of 23 leaders who had written to Sonia Gandhi demanding an organisational overhaul in the Congress, come amid a controversy triggered soon after the announcement of the Padma awards on Tuesday evening when Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, while commenting on CPM leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s refusal to accept the award, said, “He wants to be Azad not Ghulam”.

    Several members of the group of 23 leaders who had written to Sonia Gandhi demanding an organisational overhaul in the Congress congratulated Azad for being awarded Padma Bhushan, saying it was “well-deserved”.

  • Honour to receive Padma Bhushan: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

    By PTI

    NEW YORK: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Thursday said it is an honour for him to receive the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award and he looks forward to continuing to work with people across India to help them use technology to achieve more.

    On the eve of its 73rd Republic Day, India conferred the Padma Bhushan on Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Chairperson of Tata Group Natarajan Chandrasekaran.

    “It’s an honour to receive a Padma Bhushan Award and to be recognised with so many extraordinary people. I’m thankful to the President, Prime Minister, and people of India, and look forward to continuing to work with people across India to help them use technology to achieve more,” Nadella tweeted.

    Hyderabad-born Nadella, 54, was named CEO of Microsoft in February 2014.

    In June 2021 he was also named the company’s Chairman, an additional role in which he will “lead the work to set the agenda for the board.”

    India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu during a virtual celebration of the country’s 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday, said this year, three of the distinguished diaspora members have been conferred the Padma Bhushan — Madhu Jaffrey for popularising Indian cuisine, Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai for their leadership in the technology sector.

    “This is a matter of pride for all of us, as well as a testament to the strength of the community,” Sandhu said on Wednesday from the lawns of India House, the official residence of India’s Ambassador to the US, in Washington DC.

    The Padma Awards 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 (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service).

    The award seeks to recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

    The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.

  • Ironic Congress doesn’t need his services when nation recognises them: Sibal on Padma award to Azad

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Wednesday took a jibe at his party over Ghulam Nabi Azad being conferred with the Padma Bhushan, saying it was ironic that the Congress does not need his services when the nation recognises his contributions to public life.

    Veteran Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Azad, who was part of the group of 23 which has been critical of the party leadership and has sought an organisational overhaul, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to public affairs.

    Sibal, also a part of the G-23, tweeted, “Ghulam Nabi Azad conferred Padam Bhushan. Congratulations bhaijan.”

    “Ironic that the Congress doesn’t need his services when the nation recognises his contributions to public life,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Buddhadeb Bhattacharya wants to be ‘Azad not Ghulam’: Jairam Ramesh’s dig at party colleague

    Another G-23 leader Shashi Tharoor also congratulated Azad.

    “Warm congratulations to Shri @ghulamnazad on his Padma Bhushan. It is good to be recognized for one’s public service even by a government of the other side,” Tharoor tweeted.

    However, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had on Tuesday taken a veiled dig at Azad who was conferred with the award.

    “Right thing to do. He wants to be Azad not Ghulam,” Ramesh said on Twitter after former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya declined the Padma award.

  • Former Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee refuses Padma Bhushan

    By ANI

    KOLKATA:  Veteran CPI(M) leader and former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday refused to accept the Padma Bhushan award, kicking off a political controversy.

    “I know nothing about this award. No one has told me anything about it. If they have decided to offer Padma Bhushan to me, I refuse to accept it,” Bhattacharjee said in a statement.

    However, official sources said the Union Home Ministry informed the wife of the ailing veteran leader about the government’s decision to give him the Padma Bhushan before announcing his name early Tuesday morning, and no one from his family objected to it.

    Bhattacharjee’s wife told the top official that she would inform him about it.

    After which no one from his family got back to the home ministry to inform that he was unwilling to accept the Padma award.

    Usually the norm is that the central government seeks the concurrence of an awardee before announcing his name for the Padma award.

    Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Hindutva poster boy late Kalyan Singh and India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat who died in a helicopter crash recently, were awarded Padma Vibhushan on Tuesday, while veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee were named for the Padma Bhushan.

    While explaining the reasons behind his refusal, the CPI(M) said the party’s policy was not to accept such state awards.

    “Comrade Buddhadeb Bhattacharya who was nominated for the Padma Bhushan award has declined to accept it. The CPI(M) policy has been consistent in declining such awards from the State. Our work is for the people not for awards. Comrade EMS (Namboodiripad) who was earlier offered an award had declined it.” the CPI(M) tweeted.

    The 77-year-old communist patriarch, one of the tallest leaders of the Bengal CPI(M), was chief minister of West Bengal from 2000-2011.

    He is currently unwell suffering from age-related problems.

    According to CPI(M) sources, the decision to forgo the award was one taken by both Bhattacharjee and the party.

    “Communists don’t hanker after state awards. Earlier, Jyoti Basu had refused Bharat Ratna when his name was doing rounds in 2008. So this was expected,” CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said.

    Echoing him, CPI (M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said accepting an award from a government “dividing people into communal lines” was out of the question.

    While reacting to Bhattacharjee’s refusal, BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh said it was his personal decision.

    “The country had decided to honour him. Now it is up to him to decide on whether he wants to accept it or not,” he said.

    However, the Trinamool Congress claimed the nexus between the CPI (M) and BJP stands exposed as Bhattacharjee made no contributions that deserved an award.

    “Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will be remembered for Nandigram and Singur forcible land acquisition.

    This decision by the BJP government to confer Padma Bhushan only exposes the CPI(M) and BJP’s tacit understanding in West Bengal,” TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said.

  • Centre appeals to citizens to identify talented achievers for Padma awards

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday appealed to all citizens to identify and recommend the names of talented people whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be honoured with the Padma awards.

    In a statement, the Union Home Ministry said online nominations or recommendations for the Padma awards — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri — to be announced on the eve of Republic Day, 2022 is underway. The last date for nominations for Padma awards is September 15.

    The nominations or recommendations for Padma awards will be received online only on the Padma awards portal HYPERLINK “https://padmaawards.gov.in/”. “The government is committed to transform Padma awards into ‘People’s Padma’.All citizens are therefore requested to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognised from amongst women, SC, STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to society and make their nominations or recommendations,” the statement said.

    The nominations or recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the above mentioned Padma portal, including a citation in narrative form (maximum 800 words), clearly bringing out the distinguished and exceptional achievements or service of the person recommended in her or his respective field or discipline.

    Further details in this regard are also available under the heading ‘Awards and Medals’ on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    The statutes and rules relating to these awards are available on the website with the link https://padmaawards.gov.in/AboutAwards.aspx . People may also contact 011-23092421, +91 9971376539, +91 9968276366, +91 9711662129, +91 7827785786 for any enquiry or assistance.

    Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the eve of the Republic Day every year. The Modi government has been honouring many “unsung heroes”, who are contributing to the society in different ways, with Padma awards since 2014.

    Through these awards, the government seeks to recognise ‘work of distinction’.

    These awards are given for distinguished and exceptional achievements or service in all fields or disciplines, such as, art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry etc.

  • Nominations for 2022 Padma Awards open till September 15

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Nominations and recommendations for the Padma Awards (Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri) can be submitted on the government’s portal till September 15, 2021.

    As per a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, nominations and recommendations will be received online only on the Padma Awards portal https://padmaawards.gov.in.

    “The Government is committed to transform Padma Awards into “People’s Padma”. All citizens are therefore requested to make nominations/recommendations including self-nomination,” the statement said, adding that concerted efforts may be made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the society.

    Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged people to nominate people for the awards.

    Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year and seek to recognize ‘work of distinction’ and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields/disciplines, such as, Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc, the statement said.

    All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. Government servants including those working with PSUs, except Doctors and Scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards. 

  • Nominate your choice of inspiring people for Padma awards: PM Narendra Modi to citizens

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to nominate their choice of persons, who are doing exceptional work at the grassroots, for Padma awards. In a tweet, Modi said India has many talented people doing exceptional work at the grassroots but they are often not much known.

    India has many talented people, who are doing exceptional work at the grassroots. Often, we don’t see or hear much of them. Do you know such inspiring people? You can nominate them for the #PeoplesPadma. Nominations are open till 15th September. https://t.co/BpZG3xRsrZ
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2021

    “India has many talented people, who are doing exceptional work at the grassroots. Often, we don’t see or hear much of them. Do you know such inspiring people? You can nominate them for the #PeoplesPadma. Nominations are open till 15th September. http://padmaawards.gov.in,” he tweeted, sharing the link of the website.

    The Padma awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country. In the last few years, the Modi government has been honouring scores of unsung heroes with the Padma awards for their life-long contributions to the society and achievements in different fields.

    Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year.

  • LJP chief Chirag thanks PM Modi for Padma honour for his late father Ram Vilas Paswan

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday after former Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan award, and said Modi always gave respect to his father.

    Ram Vilas Paswan has been given the honour posthumously and was one of the 10 Padma Bhushan awardees.

    Chirag Paswan tweeted that Modi took care of his father till his last breath and gave respect to him even after he was gone.

    The LJP president has been a vocal supporter of Modi even though his party is no longer a part of the BJP-led NDA in Bihar due to his differences with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, another saffron party ally.

  • SP Balasubramaniam, Shinzo Abe among seven Padma Vibhushan awardees, here is full list

    By Online Desk
    Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, have been announced on Monday night. 

    ​The list comprises seven Padma Vibhushan, ten Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri Awards. 

    The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.

    These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan around March/ April every year. 

    Here is the full list of Padma Vibhushan awardees:

    Shri Shinzo Abe- Public Affairs- Japan
    Shri S P Balasubramaniam (Posthumous)- Art- Tamil Nadu
    Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde- Medicine- Karnataka
    Shri Narinder Singh Kapany (Posthumous)- Science and Engineering- United States of America
    Maulana Wahiduddin Khan- Others- Spiritualism- Delhi
    Shri B. B. Lal- Others- Archaeology- Delhi
    Shri Sudarshan Sahoo- Art- Odisha

    Here is the full list of Padma Bhushan awardees:

    Ms. Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra-Art-Kerala
    Shri Tarun Gogoi (Posthumous) -Public Affairs- Assam
    Shri Chandrashekhar Kambara-Literature and Education-Karnataka
    Ms. Sumitra Mahajan-Public Affairs-Madhya Pradesh
    Shri Nripendra Misra-Civil Service-Uttar Pradesh
    Shri Ram Vilas Paswan (Posthumous)-Public Affairs-Bihar
    Shri Keshubhai Patel (Posthumous)-Public Affairs-Gujarat
    Shri Kalbe Sadiq (Posthumous)-Others-Spiritualism-Uttar Pradesh
    Shri Rajnikant Devidas Shroff-Trade and Industry-Maharashtra
    Shri Tarlochan Singh-Public Affairs-Haryana

    Here is the full list of Padma Shri awardees:

    Former Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha, British film director Peter Brook, Father Vallés (posthumous), Professor Chaman Lal Sapru (posthumous) are among 102 recipients of Padma Shri award. pic.twitter.com/oMoHg3DXcc
    — ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

    (Inputs from Press Information Bureau)