President to confer Padma awards on late Kalyan Singh, 73 others

New Delhi, March 28: President Ram Nath Kovind will confer Padma awards 2022 on 74 distinguished personalities, including former BJP leader late Kalyan Singh and actor Victor Banerjee, at a civil investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday. As many as 128 Padma awards are being presented this year and the first civil investiture ceremony was held on March 21 during which 54 personalities were given the honour. Also read | Clean sweep by Duggal-Nagarkoti-Sharma panel in Chandigarh Press Club polls Among the prominent awardees at the second investiture ceremony will be Padma Vibhushan recipients, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister late Kalyan Singh (posthumous) and classical vocalist Prabha Atre, Padma Bhushan recipients actor Victor Banerjee, and Krishna Murthy Ella and Suchitra Krishna Ella of Bharat Biotech, the maker of coronavirus vaccine Covaxin, an official statement said. The awards are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. These awards are given in various disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service among others. '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 Republic Day every year. This year's list comprises four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri awards 2022. Also read | Medical students from Ukraine meet Punjab Health Minister, seek policy to absorb them in Indian colleges Thirty-four of the 2022 awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of foreigners, NRIs and Overseas Citizens of India, besides 13 posthumous awardees. -PTC News with agency inputs