President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday posthumously honoured former Union Ministers George Fernandes, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj with Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award. About the former Finance Minister, the late Arun Jaitley, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a tweet: “An outstanding parliamentarian and a distinguished lawyer, he made significant contributions in judicial reforms, electoral reforms and progressive social & economic legislations.” The award was received by Jaitley’s wife.
About former External Affairs Minister, the late Sushma Swaraj, the Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted: “A visionary leader, deeply rooted in Indian traditions, Smt Swaraj embodied the empowerment of women and was a woman of many firsts.” The award was received by Swaraj’s daughter.
Former Defence Minister, the late Manohar Parrikar was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously on Monday. The award was received by his son Utpal Parrikar. Manohar Parrikar, who was Goa’s Chief Minister and also Defence Minister, succumbed to his illness on 17 March 2019.
At the event, a total of 119 persons were conferred with Padma awards 2020 which include seven Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri awards, in an event which was organised in Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital today. Other dignitaries who were awarded the Padma Vibhushan include boxer M.C. Mary Kom, former Mauritius Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth GCSK, classical singer Chhannulal Mishra and Vishveshateertha Swamiji Sri Pejavara Adhokhaja Matha Udupi (posthumous).
Awardees for Padma Bhushan include businessman Anand Mahindra and badminton player P.V. Sindhu. “I am very happy and am going to work harder in future. I also thank the Government of India and the President for this award,” said Sindhu. Padma Shri awardees include Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, singer Adnan Sami, filmmakers Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor and social activist Harekala Hajabba.
Hajabba is a fruit vendor who has devoted his life and life’s earnings towards educating other poor children of his Newpadupu village in Dakshin Kannada. “Around 175 students are currently studying in the school I built in my village for poor students. I have a dream to build a college after the school,” said Hajabba.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the dignitaries present on the occasion. The Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards are given to people for their outstanding work in various fields of society, mainly in the fields of art, literature, medicine, sports, education, social work, public work and business.
President Ram Nath Kovind awarded Padma Shri awards to renowned litterateur of Santali language Damayanti Beshra, television and film actress Sarita Joshi, music composer Adnan Sami Khan and actress and filmmaker Kangana Ranaut. Actor Kangana Ranaut feels her Padma Shri win is a tight slap to those who judged her and questioned her for publicly raising her voice against several controversial issues.
The President also presented Padma Shri to captain of the Indian hockey team Rani and to Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, head of the division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, the Indian Council of Medical Research in New Delhi, among others. Air Marshal Dr Padma Bandopadhyay (Retd) on Monday received the Padma Shri in the field of medicine. Bandopadhyay was the first woman to be promoted to the level of Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Producer Ekta Kapoor has been honoured with the Padma Shri for excellence in the field of performing arts. Ekta was felicitated for her contribution in the field of television, films and digital content. She was accompanied by her father and veteran star Jeetendra for the prestigious ceremony.
Filmmaker Karan Johar too was felicitated with the Padma Shri. Karan’s mother Hiroo Johar accompanied him to the prestigious ceremony. The Instagram handle of Dharma Productions posted the video of Karan being conferred the award and captioned it as, “A moment of pride and honour for us all! Heartiest congratulations to our @karanjohar on receiving the prestigious Padma Shri Award presented by the President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind.#PadmaAwards2020 #Padmashri.”