In Pics | President Kovind confers Padma Awards to 54 personalities

India's first Chief of Defence Staff late General Bipin Rawat, late Radheshyam Khemka, former chairman of Gita Press and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad were among 54 personalities who were conferred Padma awards by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 21, 2022.

India's first CDS General Bipin Rawat, Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad were among 54 personalities who have been conferred Padma awards on March 21, 2022. Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day every year and are conferred by the President at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Credit: PTI Photo

India's first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, who died in a chopper crash last December, was conferred Padma awards by President Ram Nath Kovind. The award for Rawat was received by his daughters. Credit: PTI Photo

Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of Serum Institute of India that made Covid-19 vaccine 'Covishield', was among the eight honoured with Padma Bhushan. Credit: PTI Photo

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was awarded with Padma for his contribution in the field of Public Affairs. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Jammu and Kashmir's Faisal Ali Dar, also known as Kashmir's 'Karate Kid'. Faisal is a martial arts coach from Bandipore. He established a sports academy and trained 4,000 students. He aims to empower the youth in the sensitive, militancy-hit regions with opportunities and dreams. Credit: PTI Photo

N Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons chairman, awarded Padma Bhushan for his contribution to the field of trade and industry. Credit: PTI Photo

Former CAG Rajiv Mehrishi awarded Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, by the Indian Government in the Civil Service. In this photo, Rajiv is seen accepting the award from President of India Ram Nath Kovind. Credit: PTI Photo

Devendra Jhajharia became the first para-athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian award. 40-year-old Jhajharia received the prestigious award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 21, 2022. Credit: PTI Photo

Tokyo Paralympics double medallist shooter Avani Lekhara received the Padma Shri for her excellent show last year. Lekhara won a gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing event and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. Credit: PTI Photo

Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, who has been awarded posthumously, is an internationally-celebrated Punjabi folk singer. She was the first Punjabi female folk singer to sing on Doordarshan and popularised the genre and its instruments. The award for Bawa was received by her daughter. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Prahalad Rai Agarwala for his contribution in the field of Trade & Industry. Credit: PTI Photo

President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Prof. Najma Akhtar for her contribution to the field of Literature & Education. Credit: PTI Photo

Many of those who received the Padma awards were

Members of the audience clapped as a bare-feet Sivananda, dressed in a simple white kurta and dhoti, knelt before Prime Minister Narendra Modi who promptly got up and bowed, touching the ground as he returned the greeting. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to Sachchidanand Swami for his contribution in the field of Literature and Education. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Maljibhai Devjibhai Desai for his contribution to the field of Public Affairs. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Women's hockey player Vandana Kataria for her contribution in the field of Sports. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Sardar Jagjit Singh Dardi for his contribution in the field of Trade and Industry. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Brahmanand Sagun Kamat Shankhwalkar for his contribution in the field of Sports. Credit: PTI Photo