May 10th 2024.
In a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu honored several distinguished individuals with the prestigious Padma awards. Among them were yesteryear actress Vyjayanthimala Bali, Telugu star Konidela Chiranjeevi, the first woman judge of the Supreme Court late M Fathima Beevi, and ‘Bombay Samachar’ owner Hormusji N Cama. The occasion was graced by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among other esteemed guests.
The Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, was bestowed upon 90-year-old Bali and 68-year-old Chiranjeevi, in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry. Beevi, Cama, BJP leader O Rajagopal, Tamil actor late ‘Captain’ Vijayakant, Ladakh’s spiritual leader Togdan Rinpochey, and Kundan Vyas, group editor and CEO of Gujarati newspaper ‘Janmabhoomi’, were also honored with the Padma Bhushan. The family members of Beevi, Vijayakant, and Rinpochey received the awards on their behalf.
The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of eminent cardiologist Ashwin Balachand Mehta, former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader late Satyabrata Mookherjee, and several unsung heroes. These included India’s first woman elephant mahout Parbati Baruah, fondly known as ‘Hasti Kanya’, sculptor from Telangana Velu Anandachari, eminent weaver from Tripura Smriti Rekha Chakma, K Chellammal from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who pioneered in organic coconut plantation, and squash player Joshna Chinappa, who were honored with the Padma Shri.
Amidst all the glitz and glamour, there were also some heartwarming moments. The audience erupted into a loud cheer when KS Rajanna, a ‘divyang’ from Karnataka, who lost both his hands and feet in his childhood, came forward to receive the Padma Shri. He is known for his selfless service towards differently-abled individuals, making a positive impact in their lives.
This ceremony was a testament to the diverse talents and contributions of the Indian people, and a proud moment for the entire nation. It was an evening filled with joy, inspiration, and a sense of national pride. We congratulate all the well-deserving recipients of the Padma awards, and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
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