Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the recipients of the Padma Awards at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, calling their life stories “deeply motivating.” The event marked the second phase of this year’s Padma Awards, with 69 individuals honored for their outstanding contributions across fields such as literature, science, medicine, public affairs, and the arts. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards in a ceremony attended by key leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
A Glimpse into the Awardees and Their Impact
Among the honorees were three Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri awardees, showcasing India’s vast diversity and talent. This phase also paid tribute to 13 individuals posthumously, recognizing the lasting legacies they left behind. One of the most poignant moments was the conferral of the Padma Vibhushan on late Bhojpuri and folk music icon Dr Sharda Sinha. Her soul-stirring music had touched the lives of millions and represented the cultural soul of India’s heartland.
Other Padma Vibhushan recipients included former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar and classical dance pioneer Kumudini Lakhia, whose award was also posthumous. The Padma Bhushan was awarded to several notable personalities including social activist Sadhvi Ritambhara for her work in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna, and veteran journalist-author A. Surya Prakash.
Celebrating Diversity and Democratic Recognition
Posthumous Padma Bhushan awards were given to singer Pankaj Udhas, politician Manohar Joshi, and economist Bibek Debroy, each remembered for their unique contributions. The award list also included renowned Malayalam writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair and Japanese industrialist Osamu Suzuki, highlighting the global impact of the Padma honors.
In a significant step toward inclusivity, 23 of the 69 awardees were women, underscoring the growing visibility of female excellence in various domains. PM Modi emphasized that these awards now truly represent “people’s honors,” moving beyond fame to acknowledge meaningful service to society. The 2025 ceremony reaffirmed the government’s ethos of “nation first, people first,” and highlighted a cross-section of India’s humanitarian, scientific, and cultural vibrancy through the stories of its unsung heroes and celebrated icons.
