Swaraj’s daughter Bansuri got this award
President Ram Nath Kovind presented Padma awards to 73 persons, some posthumously, at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday. Of these, four were Padma Vibhushan, eight Padma Bhushan and 61 Padma Shri awards for the year 2020 as per a statement issued by the President’s Office.
Padma awards are given in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri – and are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.
Among those honored with Padma Vibhushan were former Union ministers George Fernandes (posthumously), Arun Jaitley (posthumously), Sushma Swaraj (posthumously) and Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Hindustani classical and semi-classical singers.
President Kovind presented the Padma Vibhushan to former Finance Minister Jaitley (posthumously) for Public Affairs. “An outstanding parliamentarian and an eminent lawyer, he made significant contributions to judicial reforms, electoral reforms and progressive social and economic legislations,” Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a tweet. The award went to Jaitley’s wife.
Kovind also presented the Padma Vibhushan to Swaraj (posthumously), the former External Affairs Minister for Public Affairs. Another tweet from Rashtrapati Bhavan said, “A visionary leader with deep roots in Indian traditions, Mrs Swaraj embodied women’s empowerment and was the first lady of many.” The award went to Swaraj’s daughter.
President Kovind presented Padma Bhushan awards to badminton player PV Sindhu, Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi for social work, Dr. SC Jamir for public affairs and Mumtaz Ali for spirituality.
He honored Santali language litterateur Damayanti Beshara, television and film actress Sarita Joshi, music composer Adnan Sami Khan and actress and film producer Kangana Ranaut with Padma Shri awards.
The President also presented Padma Shri to Rani, Captain of the Indian Hockey Team and Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research in New Delhi.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were among the dignitaries present on the occasion, the statement said.
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