Virat Kohli, Sakshi Malik to receive Padma Shri
Some of the Padma awardees of 2017 are as under: Padma Vibhushan: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Sharad Pawar; Murli Manohar Joshi, singer KJ Yesudas. Padma Bhushan: Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn from Thailand, Late Shri Cho Ramaswamy (Posthumous), Shri Udwadia for Medicine. Padma Shri: Virat Kohli, Olympian Sakshi Malik, gymnast Dipa Karmakar, chef Sanjeev Kapoor, singer Kailash Kher, Anuradha Paudwal, Hockey captain P R Shreejesh.
Padma Awards
Padma Awards were established in the year 1954. Barring interruptions in the late 1970s and mid-90s, Padma Awards have been announced every year on Republic Day. The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Padma awards recognize exceptional work in all fields such as Art, Literature, Sports, Education, Social Work, Public Affairs and more.
Awards to be announced on Republic day
Padma Awards are announced every year on Republic Day. They are presented to the awardees by the President of India at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This ceremony usually takes place in the month of March or April.
MS Dhoni, PV Sindhu will feature in Padma Award list
Central Government has cleared names of India's Olympians Sakshi Malik, PV Sindhu and her coach, P Gopichand for this year's Padma Awards. Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also believed to be in the running. Among the 120 eminent names short listed, other nominations include Microsoft head Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Indian-American Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley.
Padma Bhushan for PV Sindhu?
For 2015, PV Sindhu, at age 19, was awarded the Padma Shri. Therefore this year, post her exemplary performance in the Rio Olympics, she could be awarded the 'Padma Bhushan', the third highest civilian award.
Unsung heroes to be felicitated
Unsung hero, like Alok Sagar, is a likely Padma Awardee. Former IIT Delhi Professor, Sagar gave up his academic-life in early 1980s to work for the betterment of tribal women and to preserve environment. Sagar, a former PhD holder from Houston University, Texas was also professor to former RBI governor, Raghuram Rajan. He resides in a remote place without electricity or roads called Kochamu.
Karnataka's nightingale and WB's folk singer
A most inspiring name among those short-listed for Padma awards is that of Sukri Bommagowda. Sukri, 75-years old, is known as the nightingale of powerful Halakki Vokkaliga tribes from Karnataka. She used her poetry and singing to fight against oppressive laws and practices that are hurdles in the tribe's development. Imrat Khan, folk singer from West Bengal, is also expected to be an awardee.
