National Heroes Honoured: President Droupadi Murmu Confers Padma Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Droupadi Murmu presented 66 prestigious Padma Awards for 2026. She hosted the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This first Civil Investiture Ceremony honored a diverse group of achievers. Recipients ranged from cultural icons to grassroots workers.. The event, attended by Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, marked the first of two ceremonies for the 131 approved awards, which include 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honors.
Key Honorees in Round One
Specifically, the ceremony recognised exceptional contributions across various fields. For instance, the event featured touching posthumous awards for industry stalwarts. In addition, organisers presented high honours to trailblazers in public service and the arts.
- Padma Vibhushan: Awarded to legendary actor Shri Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) for Cinema and classical violinist Dr. N. Rajam.
- Padma Bhushan: Conferred upon figures such as Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Public Affairs) and advertising veteran Shri Piyush Pandey (Posthumous).
- Padma Shri: Awarded to trailblazers like Indian Women’s Cricket Captain Ms. Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar and medical practitioners Dr. Ramchandra & Suneeta Godbole for their work in tribal healthcare.
The “People’s Padma”: Honoring Grassroots Impact
Reflecting the “People’s Padma” initiative, the ceremony spotlighted individuals driving change from the ground up, as detailed in. Notable awardees included:
- Healthcare Champions: Dr. Ramchandra and Suneeta Godbole for their dedicated service to tribal communities.
- Cultural Custodians: Taga Ram Bheel and K. Pajanivel, recognized for preserving folk arts and traditional martial arts, respectively.
- Sports & Security Experts: Para-athlete Praveen Kumar, hockey coach Baldev Singh, and former CRPF DG K. Vijay Kumar.
Conclusion
The 2026 Padma Awards Ceremony highlights a commitment to honouring national icons and unsung heroes. Specifically, it reinforces that extraordinary contributions to the nation come from dedication at every level.