Padma Awards 2021: 26 win Padma Shri for 'literature and education'

NEW DELHI: Former Vice-chancellor of Manipal University, Belle Monappa Hegde (BM Hegde), a cardiologist, has been awarded Padma Vibhushan in the medicine category. Nine others have received Padma Shri under the medicine category.

Another academic, Chandrashekhara Kambara, founding Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University who is also a poet and playwright has been awarded Padma Bhushan, in Literature and Education category. A total of 26 citizens have been awarded the Padma Shri under the literature and education category.

In the science and engineering category, two NRIs have been awarded, Narinder Singh Kapany (Posthumous) from the United States of America has been awarded Padma Vibhushan and Rattan Lal also from the USA with Padma Shri. Kapani is an Indian-American physicist who is well known for his work in the area of fibre optics, also known as the 'father of fibre optics'.

On the eve of the Republic Day, Union home ministry has announced the name of Padma Awardees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the names of awardees tweeted: “We are proud of all those who have been conferred the Padma Awards. India cherishes their contribution to the nation and humanity at large. These exceptional individuals from different walks of life have brought qualitative changes in the lives of others.”

We are proud of all those who have been conferred the Padma Awards. India cherishes their contribution to the nation and humanity at large. These exceptional individuals from different walks of life have brought qualitative changes in the lives of others. https://t.co/wYOU3wxavE

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2021

This year the President has approved conferment of 119 Padma Awards including one duo case (the award is counted as one). The list comprises seven Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri Awards.

As per a release issued by the home ministry, 29 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, 16 Posthumous awardees and one transgender awardee.

The Padma Awards are the highest civilian awards in the country, in three categories, highest being Padma Vibhushan, followed by Padma Bhushan, and lastly, 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. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

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