President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday conferred Padma awards to recipients at a civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Among the Padma Bhushan awardees were senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Serum Institute of India chairman Cyrus Poonawalla in the field of public affairs and trade and industry, respectively. Paralympic silver medalist Devendra Jhajharia was also conferred with Padma Bhushan.
Late chairman of Gita Press Radhey Shyam’s son received the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous), in the field of literature and education. The other recipient of the Padma Vibhushan is General Bipin Rawat (posthumous), the first Chief of Defence Staff, who died in a helicopter crash late last year. Rawat’s daughters Kritika and Tarini received the award on his behalf.Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah were among the top dignitaries present at the function. This year, eight eminent individuals are being given Padma Bhushan and 54 are being conferred with Padma Shri awards, besides the two Padma Vibhushan recipents.
