Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, renowned for his contributions, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award alongside other eminent personalities at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony, presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, also recognized the late Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International, and acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam with the same honor.
Adding to the illustrious list, actor Mithun Chakraborty, singer Usha Uthup, former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik, and industrialist Sitaram Jindal were honored with the Padma Bhushan.
The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, celebrated the exceptional contributions of individuals across various fields. The Padma Awards, a testament to outstanding service and achievement, recognize excellence in diverse domains such as art, social work, science, literature, and sports.
This year’s awards, comprising 132 recipients, including two duo cases, acknowledge the remarkable achievements of women, foreigners, and posthumous awardees. While half of the awardees were honored during the ceremony, the remainder is set to receive their accolades next week.
The Padma Awards, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, serve as a fitting tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to serving society and excelling in their respective fields.