New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu today conferred the prestigious Padma Awards to 69 distinguished individuals during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony for 2025, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The honours included 3 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri awards.
Among the Padma Vibhushan recipients were former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs) and veteran Kathak exponent Kumudini Lakhia (Arts), while celebrated folk singer Sharda Sinha was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
Padma Bhushan awardees included renowned Sattriya dancer Jatin Goswami, scholar Kailash Nath Dixit, and social leader Sadhvi Ritambhara. Eminent economist Bibek Debroy was posthumously honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to policy and research.
#WATCH | राष्ट्रपति भवन में आयोजित पद्म सम्मान समारोह–2025 में 69 विशिष्ट लोगों को 68 पद्म पुरस्कारों से सम्मानित किया गया। राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मु ने इन्हें देश के सर्वोच्च नागरिक सम्मानों में शामिल पद्मविभूषण, पद्मभूषण और पद्मश्री प्रदान किए। समारोह में प्रधानमंत्री और… pic.twitter.com/oEoqitFYhI
— PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) May 27, 2025
Notable names among the Padma Shri recipients included social activist Manda Krishna Madiga, gynaecologist Dr. Neerja Bhatla (for her work in cervical cancer prevention), writer Sant Ram Deswal, linguist Syed Ainul Hasan, tech innovator Ajay Bhatt (developer of USB technology), and entrepreneur Prashant Prakash. Travel writers Hugh Gantzer and Colleen Gantzer were jointly honoured, with Colleen awarded posthumously.
These civilian awards, among India’s highest honours, recognize excellence across diverse fields including arts, science, public service, literature, education, medicine, and social work.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Pralhad Joshi, along with other dignitaries, were present at the ceremony.
Awardees expressed heartfelt gratitude. Justice (Retd.) Khehar called it a “great honour,” while Dr. Bhatla and Ajay Bhatt highlighted the importance of their research contributions being recognized. Sant Ram Deswal praised the government for celebrating the efforts of unsung heroes.
This ceremony follows the first investiture event last month, where 71 Padma Awards were conferred.
