Padma Awards: Vyjayanthimala, Chiranjeevi, Late Justice Fathima Beevi Among Those Conferred Prestigious Honour

President Droupadi Murmu presented 2 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri Awards for 2024 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held with at Darbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Veteran actor Vyjayanthimala Bali, Telugu star Konidela Chiranjeevi, first woman judge of Supreme Court late M Fathima Beevi and Bombay Samachar owner Hormusji N Cama were among those conferred Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.

Several others including BJP leader O Rajagopal, Ladakh's spiritual leader Togdan Rinpochey, Tamil actor late Captain Vijayakant and Kundan Vyas, group editor and CEO of Gujarati newspaper Janmabhoomi, were also conferred the prestigious awards at a civil investiture ceremony held at Darbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

While Vijyantimala and Chiranjeevi were given Padma Vibhushan, Fathima Beevi, Cama, Rajagopal, Vijayakant, Rinpochey and Vyas were awarded Padma Bhushan.

President Droupadi Murmu presented 2 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri Awards for 2024 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, a government statement said.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Earlier in January, the President announced 132 Padma awards including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 

While more than half of the awardees were conferred the awards on April 22, the remaining were given the awards on Thursday. 

The Padma Awardees will pay homage at the National War Memorial on Friday morning. They will also visit Rashtrapati Bhawan and  Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, the statement added.

What Are Padma Awards?

Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely -Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The awards are aimed at recognizing achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

- Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order.
- Padma Shri for distinguished service.
 
The Awards are given in various fields including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 

The awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March or April every year. 

The Padma awards come with no cash prize but the recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial functions. The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India on the day of the presentation ceremony.