Padma Awards 2016

This year there were a plethora of accomplished people awarded with the highly prestigious Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award. Other imminent individuals also received the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri. Each of the awardees were recognized for their unprecedented contribution in their respective field.

This year, superstar Rajinikanth, founder of the Reliance empire late Dhirubhai Ambani, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and media baron Ramoji Rao were awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan, former DRDO chief V K Aatre, cancer specialist and chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute Dr V Shanta, eminent Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Krishnamurthi, classical vocalist Girija Devi, and Indian—American economist Avinash Dixit were also awarded the Padma Vibhushan during this year’s Republic Day celebrations.

Noted actor Anupam Kher, singer Udit Narayan, former CAG Vinod Rai, chairperson of media group Bennett, Coleman & Co. Indu Jain, sports star Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal, spiritual leaders late Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Tejomayananda, and former US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill are among the 19 eminent people awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Industrialist Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Maruti Suzuki chairman R C Bhargava, and eminent architect Hafeez Contractor also were awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who was the prosecution counsel in the Mumbai terror attack case as well as actors Ajay Devganand Priyanka Chopra received the Padma Shri.

Padma Vibhusan awardees:

1. Superstar Rajinikanth
2. Superstar Rajinikanth
3. Founder of The Reliance Empire Late Dhirubhai Ambani
4. Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
5. Media Baron Ramoji Rao
6. Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan
7. Former DRDO Chief Dr. V K Aatre
8. Cancer Specialist and Chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute Dr. V Shanta
9. Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam Dancer Yamini Krishnamurthi
10. Classical Vocalist Girija Devi
11. Indian—American Economist Avinash Dixit

Padma Bhushan awardees:

1. Actor Anupam Kher
2. Singer Udit Narayan
3. Former CAG Vinod Rai
4. Chairperson, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Indu Jain
5. Sports Star Sania Mirza
6. Badminton Ace Saina Nehwal
7. Late Swami Dayanand Saraswati
8. Swami Tejomayananda
9. Former US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill
10. Industrialist Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry
11. Maruti Suzuki Chairman R C Bhargava
12. Architect Hafeez Contractor

Padma Shri awardees:

1. Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam
2. Actor Ajay Devgan
3. Actress Priyanka Chopra