Padma Vibhushan
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| Padma Vibhushan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Padma Vibhushan |
| Awarded for | Exceptional and distinguished service |
| Country | India |
| Presenter | President of India |
| Year | 1954 |
| First awarded | 1954 |
| Last awarded | 2024 |
| Total | 325 (as of 2024) |
| Website | https://padmaawards.gov.in/ |
Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, preceded only by the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, it is awarded for "exceptional and distinguished service" in any field, including service rendered by government employees. The award seeks to recognize achievements of the highest order across all disciplines of human endeavor and is announced annually on the occasion of Republic Day.
History and establishment
The award was established by the President of India on 2 January 1954, alongside the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, upon the creation of a new series of civilian decorations. This initiative followed the discontinuation of the earlier British colonial honors system, such as the Order of the British Empire, after India gained independence in 1947. The first list of recipients was published in the Gazette of India on 2 January 1954, with the first ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The original statutes permitted posthumous awards, a provision that was briefly suspended between 1977 and 1980 before being reinstated.
Award criteria and process
The award criteria are broad, encompassing "exceptional and distinguished service" in any field of activity, including art, literature, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry, medicine, education, sports, and social work. Recommendations are received from all state governments, union territory administrations, central government ministries, and previous recipients, among others. All recommendations are processed by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister and includes the Cabinet Secretary, the Home Secretary, and other eminent individuals. The final list is approved by the Prime Minister of India and the President of India.
Categories and design
The Padma Vibhushan is awarded in three categories: "Padma Vibhushan", "Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous)", and "Padma Vibhushan (Foreign)". The design is a circular-shaped bronze medallion with a geometric pattern. The obverse features a centrally located lotus flower and the words "Padma" and "Vibhushan" inscribed in Devanagari script above and below the lotus. The reverse bears the State Emblem of India and the national motto, "Satyameva Jayate", also in Devanagari. The award is worn around the neck with a white ribbon, which is divided into two equal segments by a thin red stripe.
Notable recipients
The award has been conferred upon a diverse array of eminent Indians and foreign nationals. Early recipients included scientist C. V. Raman, philosopher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and engineer M. Visvesvaraya. In the arts, notable laureates encompass musician Ravi Shankar, vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi, and filmmaker Satyajit Ray. Distinguished scientists and engineers honored include A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Vikram Sarabhai, and E. Sreedharan. From public life, recipients have ranged from former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani to social reformers like Baba Amte and Narayana Murthy of Infosys. Foreign recipients have included individuals like Nelson Mandela and John Kenneth Galbraith.
Significance and controversies
The Padma Vibhushan holds immense prestige as a symbol of national recognition for extraordinary contribution. It is often seen as affirming the constitutional values of secularism and excellence. However, the selection process has occasionally been subject to public debate and controversy. Criticisms have included allegations of political favoritism, delays in recognizing deserving individuals, and an uneven geographical distribution of awardees. Discussions have also arisen regarding the transparency of the committee's deliberations and the criteria for selecting "distinguished service" in fields like industry or cinema. Despite these debates, the award remains a highly coveted honor within the Indian honors system.
Category:Indian awards