<<–2/”>a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/5653-2/”>p>The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, are among the highest civilian honors in India. They are awarded annually by the Government of India to recognize distinguished and exceptional achievements in various fields of activities or disciplines such as art, literature, Education, Sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and Industry, and others. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
There are three categories of Padma Awards:
The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India. It is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service in any field, including service rendered by government servants, including doctors and scientists, but excluding those working with the Public Sector Undertakings.
Over the years, many illustrious personalities have been honored with the Padma Vibhushan. Some notable recipients include:
The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in India. It is awarded to recognize distinguished service of a high order in any field, including service rendered by government servants.
Some notable recipients of the Padma Bhushan include:
The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India. It is awarded to recognize distinguished service in any field, including service rendered by government servants.
Some notable recipients of the Padma Shri include:
The selection process for the Padma Awards is meticulous and involves several stages:
Nominations: Nominations for the Padma Awards are open to the public and can be made by anyone. Nominations are submitted online through the Padma Awards portal. The nominations are also invited from central ministries, state governments, UT administrations, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees, Institutes of Excellence, and various other significant institutions.
Screening Committee: A screening committee is constituted to scrutinize the nominations. This committee consists of eminent personalities from various fields and senior government officials. The committee evaluates the nominations based on the achievements and contributions of the nominees.
Recommendation Committee: After the initial screening, the recommendations are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister. The committee includes the Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and four to six eminent persons as members. This committee further scrutinizes the recommendations and finalizes the list of awardees.
Approval: The final list of awardees is submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval. The awards are then announced on the occasion of Republic Day.
The Padma Awards are usually conferred by the President of India at a ceremonial function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony is traditionally held in March or April. The awardees receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The awards do not carry any monetary grant.
Padma Vibhushan: The medal is circular in shape, made of bronze, and 44 mm in diameter. It has a lotus flower embossed on the obverse side with the words “Padma” and “Vibhushan” inscribed in Devanagari Script. The reverse side has the Emblem of India and the motto “Satyameva Jayate” inscribed in Devanagari.
Padma Bhushan: Similar in design to the Padma Vibhushan but with “Padma” and “Bhushan” inscribed in Devanagari script.
Padma Shri: Also similar in design, with “Padma” and “Shri” inscribed in Devanagari script.
The Padma Awards have a significant impact on Society/”>Indian Society. They serve to recognize and honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their fields, thereby inspiring others to strive for excellence. The awards bring national and international recognition to the recipients and highlight their achievements and contributions to society.
The Padma Awards promote excellence in various fields by recognizing and honoring the achievements of individuals. This recognition serves as a source of inspiration for others to pursue excellence in their respective fields.
The Padma Awards also play a role in promoting national integration by recognizing individuals from different regions, communities, and backgrounds. This recognition fosters a sense of unity and pride among the diverse Population of India.
By recognizing the contributions of individuals in Public Service, the Padma Awards encourage others to engage in activities that benefit society. This recognition highlights the importance of public service and encourages others to contribute to the welfare of society.
Despite their prestige, the Padma Awards have not been free from controversies and criticisms. Some of the common criticisms include:
There have been allegations of bias and favoritism in the selection process. Critics argue that sometimes the awards are given based on political affiliations or personal connections rather than merit.
There have been concerns about the underrepresentation of certain fields, such as sports and social work, in the list of awardees. Critics argue that more efforts should be made to recognize and honor individuals from these fields.
The Padma Awards are generally not conferred posthumously. However, in exceptional cases, individuals who have passed away may be honored. This has led to debates on whether deserving individuals who are no longer alive should be considered for the awards.
In recent years, there has been a conscious effort to make the Padma Awards more inclusive and representative of diverse fields and regions. The government has taken steps to encourage public nominations and has emphasized transparency in the selection process.
There has been a noticeable trend of recognizing “unsung heroes” â individuals who have made significant contributions to society but have not received much public attention. This includes individuals working in remote areas, grassroots activists, and those involved in traditional arts and crafts.
The nomination process for the Padma Awards has been digitized, making it more accessible and transparent. The online nomination process allows individuals from all parts of the country to nominate deserving candidates.
The Padma Awards hold a prestigious place in India’s system of honors. They recognize and celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of individuals across various fields. While they have not been free from controversies, efforts are being made to make the awards more inclusive and representative. The Padma Awards continue to inspire and motivate individuals to strive for excellence and contribute to the nation’s development.