Sun Jan 26 12:44:51 UTC 2025: ## Padma Awards 2025: Prominent Figures Honored, Including Singer Bheera Singh Chouhan and Athlete Harvinder Singh
**New Delhi, January 26, 2025** – The Indian government announced the prestigious Padma Awards for 2025, recognizing outstanding achievements across various fields. This year’s recipients include a diverse group of individuals, ranging from renowned singer Bheera Singh Chouhan and athlete Harvinder Singh to Dr. Neerja Bhatla and Kuwaiti yoga trainer Shekha Ajee Al Sabah.
The Padma Awards, one of India’s highest civilian honors, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. While widely recognized today, the awards initially bore different names. From 1954 to 1955, they were categorized simply as “First,” “Second,” and “Third Class” under the title Padma Vibhushan. On January 8, 1955, a notification from Rashtrapati Bhavan officially changed the names to the currently used Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
This year’s recipients include seven Padma Vibhushan, nineteen Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awardees. Notably, Telangana’s Duvvuru Nageshwar Reddy received a Padma Vibhushan for his contributions to medicine, and Andhra Pradesh’s actor Balakrishna was selected for the Padma Bhushan in the arts. Recipients are ineligible for another Padma Award for five years following their initial recognition, although exceptions can be made. The awards will be formally presented at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan in March or April. The announcement coincides with India’s Republic Day celebrations.
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