In a landmark announcement on Saturday, the Government of India bestowed the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award to seven distinguished individuals, marking a historic moment for Punjab as the first Sikh Chief Justice of India, Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (retired), emerged as one of the esteemed recipients.
Justice Khehar’s recognition in the Public Affairs category underscores his remarkable contributions to the Indian judiciary. As the first Sikh to achieve this honour, his legacy serves as an inspiring beacon for future generations in Punjab and across the nation.
Joining Justice Khehar among the Padma Vibhushan laureates are:
- Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy, a renowned gastroenterologist from Karnataka
- Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia, an acclaimed Kathak dancer
- Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, a celebrated violinist and composer from Karnataka
- Osamu Suzuki (posthumous), the visionary former CEO of Maruti Suzuki, whose collaboration with India in 1981 catalyzed the growth of the Indian automobile sector
- MT Vasudevan Nair, a doyenne of Malayalam literature and cinema
- Sharda Sinha (posthumous), a beloved folk singer from Bihar
This year’s Padma awards also honor 19 individuals with the Padma Bhushan, recognizing their exceptional service in various fields. Notable awardees include:
- Sushil Modi (posthumous), a prominent BJP leader
- PR Sreejesh, legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper who secured two Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
- Pankaj Udhas (posthumous), a celebrated ghazal singer
- Manohar Joshi (posthumous), former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker
- Shekhar Kapur, an acclaimed filmmaker
- Sadhvi Ritambhara, a respected spiritual leader
Punjab’s pride is further highlighted in the Padma Shri category, where two of its own have been honoured:
- Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale, a distinguished Gurbani singer, recognized for his contributions to the arts
- Onkar Singh Pahwa, CMD of Avon Cycles, honoured for his impact in trade and industry
The Padma Shri list features 113 awardees, including illustrious personalities such as:
- Arijit Singh and Jaspinder Narula, renowned singers
- Ricky Kej, a music composer and three-time Grammy Award winner
- Neerja Bhatla, head of the gynecology department at AIIMS-Delhi
- Farooq Ahmad Mir (Jammu & Kashmir) for his contributions to art
Additionally, Lalit Kumar Mangotra (Jammu & Kashmir) has been recognized for literature, while Lama Lobzang has been honoured for his spiritual contributions. Sant Ram Deswal from Haryana received the Padma Shri for his work in literature and education.
This year’s Padma awards total 139, including one duo case. Among the awardees, 23 are women, and 10 are foreigners, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs. Thirteen awards are posthumous, honoring those who have left an enduring legacy.
The awards, conferred by the President of India, will be presented at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in March and April. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu lead with 13 awards each, followed by Uttar Pradesh with nine, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Delhi with eight each, Bihar with six, and Kerala with five.
Punjab rejoices in the recognition of its illustrious sons and daughters who have excelled in their respective fields, bringing laurels to the state and the nation. The achievements of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale, and Onkar Singh Pahwa stand as testaments to the dedication, excellence, and service that define Punjab’s contribution to India’s rich cultural and professional tapestry.
As the nation celebrates these honorees, Punjab stands proud, reaffirming its vibrant heritage and the exceptional talent it continues to nurture.
