A Tribute to Legacy: This year’s Padma Vibhushan list includes late Suzuki Motor chief Osamu Suzuki, medical innovator Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy, and literature stalwart M.T. Vasudevan Nair. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on their respective fields.
BY PC Bureau
On the eve of the 76th Republic Day, the Union government announced the prestigious Padma Awards 2025, recognizing 139 individuals for their contributions in various fields, including public affairs, arts, medicine, sports, and literature. The awards, approved by President Droupadi Murmu and published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, include 6 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 114 Padma Shri recipients.
Padma Vibhushan Awardees
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, has been conferred upon:
- Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) – Japan: The former Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Osamu Suzuki played a pivotal role in India’s automobile revolution, spearheading Maruti Suzuki’s growth into the country’s leading car manufacturer. His contributions reshaped India’s auto industry, making car ownership accessible to the masses.
- Justice (Retd.) Jagdish Singh Khehar – Chandigarh: A former Chief Justice of India (CJI), Khehar is best known for his landmark rulings, including the triple talaq verdict and his role in the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) case.
- Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy – Telangana (Medicine): A globally renowned gastroenterologist, Dr. Reddy has been at the forefront of digestive disease research and endoscopic innovations, significantly advancing medical science in India.
- Lakshminarayana Subramaniam – Karnataka (Art): A legendary violinist and composer, Subramaniam has revolutionized Carnatic and fusion music, blending classical Indian melodies with global musical traditions.
- Kumudini Lakhia – Gujarat (Art): A pioneering Kathak dancer and choreographer, Lakhia has transformed traditional Kathak into a storytelling art form, inspiring generations of artists.
- M. T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) – Kerala (Literature & Education): One of India’s greatest Malayalam writers, Nair was known for his profound literary works, including the classic novel Randamoozham, which reimagines the Mahabharata from Bhima’s perspective.
- Sharda Sinha (Posthumous) – Bihar (Art): A revered folk singer, Sinha dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi folk music, earning the title of “Bihar Kokila” (The Nightingale of Bihar).
Padma Bhushan Awardees
The Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, has been awarded to 19 distinguished individuals, including:
- Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) – Economics: A noted economist and scholar, Debroy served as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, significantly influencing India’s economic policies.
- Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) – Public Affairs: A former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Joshi was a key figure in Shiv Sena’s political rise and played a crucial role in Maharashtra’s infrastructure development.
- Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti – Business & Textiles: A textile industrialist and philanthropist, Chetti is a stalwart in the handloom industry, ensuring the preservation of India’s traditional Kanchipuram silk sarees.
- Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) – Public Affairs: A BJP leader and former Deputy CM of Bihar, Modi was instrumental in implementing GST reforms and strengthening Bihar’s financial framework.
- Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) – Music: A legendary ghazal singer, Udhas is credited with popularizing ghazals in mainstream Bollywood, leaving behind timeless melodies.
- Vinod Dham – USA (Technology & Innovation): An Indian-American engineer and entrepreneur, Dham is globally recognized as the “Father of the Pentium Chip”, revolutionizing computer processors.
- Shekhar Kapur – Film & Arts: The renowned filmmaker behind classics like “Mr. India” and “Bandit Queen”, Kapur has also made a mark in Hollywood with “Elizabeth”, which earned seven Academy Award nominations.
- Pankaj Patel – Business & Healthcare: The Chairman of Zydus Lifesciences, Patel has played a key role in India’s pharmaceutical sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- P. R. Sreejesh – Sports: The former captain of the Indian hockey team, Sreejesh was instrumental in India’s bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, marking a historic moment for Indian hockey.
Diversity in Honorees
The 2025 Padma Awards recognize 23 women, 10 foreign nationals/NRI/PIO/OCI recipients, and 13 posthumous awardees, highlighting India’s commitment to celebrating excellence across diverse fields and backgrounds.
These illustrious personalities have left an indelible mark in their respective domains, shaping India’s progress on national and global fronts. The awards serve as a testament to their contributions, inspiring generations to come.
