President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday conferred two Padma Vibhushan, eight Padma Bhushan and 54 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2022, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Amongst the prominent awardees at today’s Investiture ceremony are Padma Vibhushan recipients; Radhey Shyam and General Bipin Rawat (Posthumous), Ghulam Nabi Azad, Gurmeet Bawa (Posthumous), N Chandrasekharan, Devendra Jhajharia, Rashid Khan, Rajiv Mehrishi, Para-shooter Avani Lekhara, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, and Sachchidanand Swami who received the Padma Bhushan awards.
General Bipin Rawat (posthumous), the first Chief of Defence Staff, who died in a helicopter crash late last year, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. Rawat's daughters Kritika and Tarini received the award on his behalf.
Late chairman of Gita Press Radhey Shyam's son received the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous), in the field of literature and education.
Senior Cong leader Ghulam Nabi Azad received his Padma Bhushan award, in the field of Public Affairs. Azad, one of the top politicians of Jammu & Kashmir, has served as the chief minister of the erstwhile state between 2005 and 2008. He was the Union health minister from 2009 and 2014, and subsequently served as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha till February 2021.
“The country recognises work. It feels good when there is recognition of my work. It motivates me to work for the country... We should not think about who received the award and who gave the award. Padma awards are not given by any government, but the country,” Azad told media after receiving the Padma Bhushan.
Daughter of Gurmeet Bawa received her Padma Bhushan award (posthumous), in the field of art.
Sachidanand Swami also received the Padma Bhushan award for his work in literature and education.
Swami Sivananda received the Padma Shri award for his contribution in the field of yoga. Para-shooter Avani Lekhara and hockey player Vandana Katariya receives the Padma Shri. Hockey player Vandana Katariya received the Padma Shri award.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah were among the top dignitaries present at the function.