Padma Awards 2021: Shinzo Abe, SP Balasubramaniam among awardees  

Seven eminent personalities including former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and musical maestro SP Balasubramaniam have been honoured with Padma Vibhushan this year. Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, were announced for the year 2021 on January 25.

These awards are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines, such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering etc.

Among those winning the Padma Bhushan are late former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Ex Principal Secretary to PM and chief of committee for Ram Temple construction Nripendra Mishra, and late former Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

This year the President has approved conferment of 119 Padma Awards.

The Padma Vibhushan awards were conferred to 7 awardees, the Padam Bhushan to 10 and the Padam Shri awards were conferred to 102 awardees.

Besides, the country will honour the bravehearts of Galwan clash. Colonel Santosh Babu, who gave his life for the nation during the brutal skirmish with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in May last year, will be decorated with Mahavir Chakra - the second-highest war-time award in India.

Apart from Mahavir Chakra to Col Santosh Babu, the President will also honour Sub Sanjiv Kumar of the 4th Parachute Regiment with Kirti Chakra, and five other soldiers with Vir Chakra. Three soldiers will also be decorated with Shaurya Chakras for their service to the nation.

The awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March or April every year.