[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][vc_column_text]New Delhi: The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards today (March 30, 2015) at a Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were the Vice President of India, Prime Minister, Union Ministers of Home Affairs, Finance and Human Resource Development.
President presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to Shri Lal Krishna AdvaniThe Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the Civil Investiture CeremonyThe President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Parkash Singh BadalThe President presenting the Padma Bhushan Award to Shri Rajat SharmaThe President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Shri Sanjay Leela BhansaliThe President presenting the Padma Shri Award to Shri Tarak Janubhai MehtaThe President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Prof. (Dr.) Tejas Madhusudan Patel
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/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘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. This year the President of India has approved conferment of Padma Awards to 104 persons as per the list below. The list comprises of 9 Padma Vibhushan, 20 Padma Bhushan and 75 Padma Shri Awardees. 17 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 17 persons from the category of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs and 4 Posthumous awardees.
Culture and Tourism Minister congratulatesawardees
The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma has extended his greetings to the eminent personalities who have been conferred with Padma awards in the field of art, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. He has congratulated them for their efforts and contribution in the promotion of art and culture. Dr Mahesh Sharma has conveyed his best wishes to the awardees and their families. India’s leading vocalist of Carnatic music, Smt Sudha Rangunathan has been conferred with Padma Bhushan .The world renowned Indian film Director , Shri Sanjay Leela Bhansali, poet-writer-lyricist and internationally acclaimed communication leader, Shri Prasoon Joshi and cultural icon and music legend of Odisha, Shri Prafulla Kar have been awarded with the Padma Shri. Similarly, pioneer in the field of professional wildlife and conservation film making in India, Shri Naresh Bedi, world’s leading expert of traditional textile arts of India, Shri Rahul Jain and Ms Kanyakumari Avasarala, a top ranking Carnatic violinist and top rank artist of All India are also among the recipients of Padma Shri for their contribution to the field of art. The Minister has also greeted the personalities who have been presented Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards today and greatly appreciated their contribution to the society.
Sanjay Trivedi is honorary editor of Asia Times. He is senior Indian Journalist having vast experience of 25 years. He worked in Janmabhoomi, Vyapar, Divya Bhaskar etc. newspapers and TV9 Channel as well as www.news4education.com. He is serving as Media Officer in Gujarat Technological University, the university which controlling 440 colleges of Engineering, Management, Pharmacy & Architecture colleges in Gujarat.
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