Let's honour the People's Padma awardees with a loud applause..!

New Delhi, January 26: Recognising the legends from across the nation and all segments of society, the Padma awards are announced citing the occasion of 69th Republic Day. The awards communicated to the people recognised for their larger impact and selfless service, constitute 112 people from various disciplines. These awards split in three categories, comprise of four Padma Vibhushan, fourteen Padma Bhushan and ninety-four Padma Shri awardees this year.

 

 

Maharashtra this time has squared the positions for Padma Vibhushan with trade corner Anilkumar Naik and writer Balwant Moreshwar Purandare. Dr Ashok Kukde meanwhile, from Latur in Maharashtra have been felicitated with Padma Bhushan for his immense contribution in the field of medicine especially for the needy and poor patients. 

 

Balwant Moreshwar Purandare popularly known as Babasaheb Purandare had started writing stories related to the period of Shivaji's reign at a very young age, which were later compiled and published in a book titled Thingya. His other works include books titled Raja Shiva-Chatrapati and Kesari, and a book on life of Narayanrao Peshwe. But the most well-known of his works is the drama, Jaanata Raja, a widely popular play on Shivaji Maharaj published and first staged in 1985. Since then the drama has been staged over 864 times in 16 districts of Maharashtra, Agra, Delhi, Bhopal, and the United States.

 

The Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr Kukde, along with four of his friends, had set up Vivekanand Hospital, way back in the year, 1966 in order to provide medical care to the rural people. The recipient of Padma Bhushan award said, “I received a call in the afternoon. I never imagined that one day I will be conferred with Padma Bhushan award. When you don’t expect it and still get it, it feels nice.”

 

He added, “The award is an honour of the collective work which had happened over the past several years. I have never worked with an aim to achieve something. For me, the award is recognition of the efforts which had been put through for the betterment of the people.”

 

Dr Kukde further added, “Our work has been adjudged and recognised by the people. Today, the government has recognised our work, through which we have served the people. We have always worked together with an aim of the welfare of society, in front of us.”

 

Ravindra and Smita Kolhe, belonging to Maharashtra have also received Padma Shri for thiei contribution in the field of Medicine and affordable heath care. However, Twenty-one of the awardees amongst these this time are women, eleven persons are from the category of foreigners.

 

Late journalist Kuldip Nayar, Late actor Kader Khan, Malayalam movie star Mohanlal and Cricketer Gautham Gambhir are among the 112 people listed for the Padma Shri.

 

Folk artist from Chhattisgarh Teejan Bai and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh are the other two honoured with Padma Vibhushan. Meanwhile, former comptroller and auditor general V K Shunglu, former union minister Kariya Munda, Akali leader S S Dhindsa are others named for Padma Bhushan.

 

Padma Awards one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines of activities constituting art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports along with the civil service.

 

While ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished services, ‘Padma Bhushan’ is awarded for distinguished service of high order. Whereas ‘Padma Shri’ is for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.