The Delhi Government will only nominate the names of healthcare workers for the Padma Awards this year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister thanked all the doctors and other healthcare workers who relentlessly gave everything they could to save lives during one of the biggest crises humanity has ever seen. He also asked Delhiites to recommend names of doctors and healthcare workers who deserve to be recognised.
“The Government is seeking recommendations of names of doctors and healthcare staff from the people of Delhi for the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awards. The people can send in the names of the doctors and healthcare workers with a description of why they think the name they have recommended deserves the honour to padmaawards.delhi@gmail.com by August 15, 2021,” he said.
"The last date to send recommendations to the Central Government is September 15. People need to send their recommendations to us by August 15, so the screened names could be sent on time to the Centre," he added.
“A Search and Screening Committee has been formed under Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to screen and decide the names that will be recommended to the Central Government,” he said.
"We want the doctors and health workers to be felicitated with the Padma Awards this year in recognition of their work and as a gesture of gratitude towards them. Many doctors and health workers contracted Covid-19 and lost their lives while saving people from the virus. The whole country and humanity are indebted to them,” he said.
"I know many doctors and health workers who did not go home for days and worked day and night to save our lives. It’s time to honour them and show our gratitude towards them," Kejriwal said.
The Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards are given for distinguished and exceptional achievements and service in different fields and disciplines such as art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry.
Everyone without any distinction of race, caste, occupation, position or sex are eligible for the awards. However, Government servants, including those working with PSUs -- except for doctors and scientists -- are not eligible for the awards.
The nominations are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
There is no cap on the number of awardees. Also, the States can make any number of recommendations for the awards.