News for 'Padma Awards'

Two namesakes claim Padma Shri award, HC steps in

Two namesakes claim Padma Shri award, HC steps in

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

The Orissa high court on Tuesday issued notices to two persons with the same name, both of whom claimed to have been conferred the Padma Shri award in 2023, to appear before it to present their case on February 24.

Veteran journalist Mark Tully passes away in Delhi at 90

Veteran journalist Mark Tully passes away in Delhi at 90

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on October 24, 1935, Tully was the chief of bureau for the BBC, New Delhi, for 22 years.

Our government transformed Padma award selection process: PM

Our government transformed Padma award selection process: PM

Rediff.com28 Jan 2018

People were being honoured without a recommendation, he stressed in his monthly radio programme.

Trinamool, Congress squabble over Padma awards

Trinamool, Congress squabble over Padma awards

Rediff.com28 Jan 2008

''Banerjee has made a statement on Mukherjee being given the Padma Vibhusan, which is unsavoury and against all decency. She should apologise with folded hands for her remark,'' said West Bengal Congress General Secretary Manas Bhuyian.

Did Raje recommend Lalit Modi for Padma awards in 2007?

Did Raje recommend Lalit Modi for Padma awards in 2007?

Rediff.com8 Jul 2015

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje could be in for more trouble for her connections with tainted IPL chief Lalit Modi. According to latest media reports, it was Raje who had recommended Modi for the Padma Awards in 2007.

Surprised at Padma award, says TJS George

Surprised at Padma award, says TJS George

Rediff.com25 Jan 2011

One of India's finest journalists and writers has been awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan award this year. Thayil Jacob Sony George better known as TJS George, is the founder editor of Asiaweek Magazine and also editorial advisor of the The New Indian Express.

Historian Romila Thapar refuses Padma award

Historian Romila Thapar refuses Padma award

Rediff.com28 Jan 2005

She stressed that this was a 'purely personal decision'.

Have the Padma awards lost their sheen?

Have the Padma awards lost their sheen?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2009

Does the fact that Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar and Vijender Kumar were overlooked raise questions about the fairness of the selection process? Do Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai deserve Padma Shris, considering the foremost criterion for the award is public service? Have the awards become irrelevant?

Joy Mathew mocks Padma awards

Joy Mathew mocks Padma awards

Rediff.com28 Jan 2016

The latest updates from the Malayalam film industry.

Sharad Yadav at it again; says Padma awards only given to the dishonest

Sharad Yadav at it again; says Padma awards only given to the dishonest

Rediff.com11 Apr 2015

Yadav stuck to his guns, saying "Whatever I have said, I have said."

Sachin, Madhuri, Pranab in Padma awards list

Sachin, Madhuri, Pranab in Padma awards list

Rediff.com25 Jan 2008

Other noted personalities to be bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan include noted playback singer Asha Bhosle, chess wizard Vishwanathan Anand, mountainer Edmund Hillary and industrialists Ratan Naval Tata, Infosys mentor N R Narayana Murthy, steel tycoon Lakshmi Narayan Mittal and hotelier P R S Oberoi.

BCCI recommend Dravid, Gambhir for Padma awards

BCCI recommend Dravid, Gambhir for Padma awards

Rediff.com27 Aug 2012

The BCCI has decided to recommend the names of former Indian captain Rahul Dravid and opener Gautam Gambhir's names for the prestigious Padma Bhusan and Padma Shri awards respectively.

Top 20 Alka Yagnik Songs

Top 20 Alka Yagnik Songs

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

Sukanya Verma raises a toast to the amazing Alka Yagnik's solo song supremacy.

'Taal Se Taal Mila Challenged Me Musically'

'Taal Se Taal Mila Challenged Me Musically'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

'Ek Do Teen gave me recognition, Aye Mere Humsafar brought emotional depth, Taal Se Taal Mila challenged me musically, Agar Tum Saath Ho connected me with the new generation.' 'Each song came into my life at the right time.'

There are just too many Padma awards

There are just too many Padma awards

Rediff.com27 Jan 2010

Part of the problem with the Padma awards is that there are just too many. Instead of doling out 130 awards, may be the time has come to restrict it to no more than 30 -- five Padma Vibhushans, 10 Padma Bhushans and 15 Padma Shris. This would elevate the awards, even if it intensifies the lobbying, and reduce the scope of some gatecrashers getting in!

Sculptor Ram Sutar, Statue of Unity designer, dies at 100

Sculptor Ram Sutar, Statue of Unity designer, dies at 100

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

A gold medallist from JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, Sutar, has to his credit a long list of achievements.

100-year-old freedom fighter among 30 unsung heroes awarded Padma Shri

100-year-old freedom fighter among 30 unsung heroes awarded Padma Shri

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

A 100-year-old freedom fighter from Goa, a Dhak player from West Bengal who trained 150 women in the male-dominated field, and India's first woman puppeteers are among 30 unsung heroes who were awarded Padma Shri on Republic Day. Libia Lobo Sardesai, who played an important role in Goa's freedom movement, cofounded an underground radio station -- 'Voz da Liberdabe (Voice of Freedom)' -- in a forested area in 1955 to rally people against the Portuguese rule. She has been awarded the Padma Shri by the President on the occasion of 76th Republic Day. Also among the awardees is Gokul Chandra Dey, a 57-year-old Dhak player from West Bengal who broke the gender stereotype by training 150 women in the male-dominated field. Dey also created a lightweight Dhak type, 1.5 kg less than the conventional instrument, and represented India at various international platforms and performed with Maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Zakir Hussain. A vocal advocate of woman empowerment, 82-year-old Sally Holkar transformed once dying Maheshwari craft and founded Handloom school in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, to give training in traditional weaving techniques. Born in America and Inspired by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar's legacy, she devoted five decades of her life to revitalise 300-year-old weaving legacy. She has also been awarded Padma Shri.

MT Vasudevan Nair, Suzuki, ex-CJI Khehar Singh get Padma Vibhushan

MT Vasudevan Nair, Suzuki, ex-CJI Khehar Singh get Padma Vibhushan

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday approved 139 Padma awards including seven Padma Vibhushans, 19 Padma Bhushans and 113 Padma Shris.

Govt gets tough after Padma awards snub

Govt gets tough after Padma awards snub

Rediff.com21 Apr 2009

Embarrassed by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh's failure to turn up for the Padma Shri awards last Wednesday, the government issued a notification saying National sports awards, like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dhronacharya and Dhyanchand, will be withdrawn if the recipient is absent from the ceremony without intimation.

Colleen And Hugh Gantzer Had India's Heart

Colleen And Hugh Gantzer Had India's Heart

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Colleen and Hugh Gantzer were the GOATs of travel writers.

SEE: Ashwin receives Padma Shri

SEE: Ashwin receives Padma Shri

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

Ashwin retired from the game as the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets).

Padma award to Chatwal after due diligence: Govt

Padma award to Chatwal after due diligence: Govt

Rediff.com27 Jan 2010

With controversy erupting over Padma Bhushan for Non Resident Indian hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, the government stepped in to clear the air saying 'due diligence' was done before selection and that the Central Bureau of Investigation had closed three cases of financial irregularities against him.

Five Shots By A Girl That Shook An Empire

Five Shots By A Girl That Shook An Empire

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Bina Das, 21, got up at her graduating ceremony to assassinate the governor of Bengal. He escaped and she was imprisoned for 9 years.

Dhirubhai Ambani, Dilip Shanghvi chosen for Padma awards

Dhirubhai Ambani, Dilip Shanghvi chosen for Padma awards

Rediff.com25 Jan 2016

Dhirubhai Ambani lived in a one-room chawl in Mumbai with his wife and children and went on to establish the Reliance Group.

'Dedicate my award to every football fan in India'

'Dedicate my award to every football fan in India'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

'At the same time, this may encourage some youngsters in some parts of the country to pursue football.'

WWE star Khali in fray for Padma award?

WWE star Khali in fray for Padma award?

Rediff.com5 Oct 2008

Khali, who hails from Dhiraina village of Sirmour district of the state, shot into fame with his performances in US' popular wrestling events -- World Wrestling Entertainment. The one-time World Heavyweight Champion was honoured by the state government during his widely-publicised visit to the country in May this year.

The American Awarded A Padma Shri

The American Awarded A Padma Shri

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

Sally Holkar left America and made India her home nearly 60 years ago. She went on a mission to revive a dying craft and changed the lives of rural weavers.

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil passes away

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil passes away

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil, known for his work on the conservation of Western Ghats, has passed away in Pune after a brief illness. He was 83.

Padma awards not for those with taint: Congress

Padma awards not for those with taint: Congress

Rediff.com26 Jan 2010

Against the backdrop of US-based hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal getting a Padma Bhushan, the Congress on Tuesday said these awards should be given to people who enhance its prestige and not to those with a "taint".

'When Your Tapasya Is Successful, You Feel Very Good'

'When Your Tapasya Is Successful, You Feel Very Good'

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

It was a beautiful Monday for many film folk, as they were conferred with Padma Awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu.

FIR filed to identify 'VIPs' in Ankita Bhandari murder case

FIR filed to identify 'VIPs' in Ankita Bhandari murder case

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Uttarakhand Police have filed an FIR to identify alleged 'VIPs' in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case, following a recommendation for a CBI probe. The FIR was lodged based on a complaint filed by environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi, highlighting concerns about concealed or destroyed evidence related to an unidentified 'VIP'.

Badal dedicates Padma award to proud, patriotic Punjabis

Badal dedicates Padma award to proud, patriotic Punjabis

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

The Punjab CM said he was overwhelmed at receiving the Padma Vibhushan.

Country gave me more: Sreejesh on Padma Bhushan

Country gave me more: Sreejesh on Padma Bhushan

Rediff.com26 Jan 2025

Padma Bhushan recipient PR Sreejesh, a legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper, expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating that India has given him more than what he has contributed to the sport.

Mark Tully Was India's Voice To The World

Mark Tully Was India's Voice To The World

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'Mark had such a profound understanding of India, which was, of course, the land of his birth as well as of his death... He loved India, and lived two-thirds of his life here.'

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Mark Tully, the renowned journalist, author, and Indophile, has passed away at the age of 90. He spent a lifetime in India as a journalist, mingling with its people and telling their stories.

Gulzar receives Jnanpith Award

Gulzar receives Jnanpith Award

Rediff.com24 May 2025

'We met Gulzar sahab at his residence to honour him with the Jnanpith Award. Gulzar sahab's son-in-law Govind Sandhu, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, his wife Rekha, and a few writers were present on this occasion.'

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'The culture of mankind has been spread by the travel gene which pushes one in five people to have the curiosity to move to unknown destinations.'

Neeraj Chopra is now Lt. Colonel in Indian Army

Neeraj Chopra is now Lt. Colonel in Indian Army

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

The pipping ceremony of Olympic gold medallist and Lt. Colonel (Honorary) Neeraj Chopra was held on Wednesday in New Delhi, marking another significant milestone in his decorated career.

How would India become Vishwaguru if...: Sonam Wangchuk's wife

How would India become Vishwaguru if...: Sonam Wangchuk's wife

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Angmo challenged authorities to an open debate on the allegations, including those suggesting links to Pakistan, and said neither she has been able to contact Wangchuk nor has she been provided with formal documents detailing the charges against him by the administration.