Context: India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, who died in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu last year, political leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran, former Comptroller & Auditor General Rajiv Mehrishi and late Radheshyam Khemka were among 54 prominent personalities who were conferred the Padma awards by the President of India.
Total 128 awards were presented in the ceremony.
About Padma Awards
The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.
The Awards are given in three categories:
Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service).
Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and
Padma Shri (distinguished service).
It was instituted in 1954.
All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
The awards are presented by the President of India.
The Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
The Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members.
The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.
