President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening. Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian awards of the country, are conferred in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Journalist P. Narayanan was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the category of Literature and Education and former judge KT Tomas was given the Padma Vibhushan in social work.

This year, the Government had announced a total of 131 Padma Awards. These include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Padma Bhushan was given to seven persons, including former tennis player Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, and playback singer Alka Yagnik. Politician Shibu Soren was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously. Fifty-seven persons received the Padmashree award, including cricketer Rohit Sharma, actor R Madhavan and former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati. Actor Satish Shah was given the Padmashree posthumously. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who were present on the occasion. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.