Many from Himalayan Region get Padma Awards

Padma Awards are routinely announced by the Union Government on the eve of the Republic Day. This year the Himalayan states had a fair share of one of the highest civilian awards of the country to be given by Mrs Draupadi Murmu, the first tribal President of India.

The awards were instituted in 1954 to be conferred to citizens of India and in few cases foreigners too in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activities to the country. These include arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs.

On the awards obverse, the words “Padma”, meaning lotus and “Shri” meaning ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’, appear in Devanagari above and below a lotus flower. The geometrical pattern on either side is in burnished bronze. All embossing is in white gold. As of 2023, 3421 people have received the award.

There are no cash awards for Padma awardees and it cannot be used as prefix or suffix. So far there are three rare cases when the President withdrew the award for violation of code. The awardees are selected by the Padma Awards Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and four to six eminent persons as members. The Prime Minister and the President finally review and approve the recommendations. 

Source: Himalayan News Chronicle