Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley get Padma Vibhushan posthumously

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 8

Former Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Minister Sushma Swaraj were conferred the Padma Vibhushan award- 2020 posthumously by President Ram Nath Kovind today at a function here at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The President presented the award to Arun Jaitley’s wife Sangeeta Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj’s daughter Bansuri Swaraj. The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in the country.

In a tweet, Rohan Jaitley, the son of Arun Jaitley, said, “My father Shri Arun Jaitley may no longer be amongst us, but his work and vision will always remain a part of our lives & the lives of millions of Indians. I thank PM Shri @narendramodi ji for honouring his legacy & contribution, by conferring upon him the Padma Vibhushan.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the function, where former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and former Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan were also awarded with Padma Bhushan, posthumously.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented Padma Bhushan award to Olympian badminton player PV Sindhu and Captain of the women’s hockey team Rani Rampal, who led the team in the recent Tokyo Olympics, was conferred the Padma Shri award 2020.

Noted Hindustani classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra has also received the Padma Vibhushan award 2020, while singer Adnan Sami received the Padma Shri Award 2020. Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has received the Padma Shri award conferred to her last year.

Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, former head scientist of ICMR has received the Padma Shri Award 2020. Padma Shri award was also given to Air Marshal Dr Padma Bandopadhyay in the field of medicine.

Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day every year. The Narendra Modi-led government has been honouring many “unsung heroes”, who are contributing to the society in different ways, with Padma awards since 2014.

Through the Padma awards, the government seeks to recognise “work of distinction” and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements or service in all fields or disciplines, such as, art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry etc.

 Officials said 119 Padma Awards will be presented by the President this year. The list comprises seven Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri Awards. 29 among them are women, as 16 are being given posthumously and there is one transgender.

According to officials, the award ceremony for the recipients for 2020 and 2021 at Rashtrapati Bhawan is being held in 4 sessions on November 8 and 9.