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The prestigious Padma Awards for the year 2024 have been announced, recognizing outstanding contributions and achievements across diverse domains. The awards, conferred in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri – honor individuals for their exceptional service and accomplishments.

This year, a total of 132 Padma Awards, including 2 duo cases, have been approved by the President of India. The esteemed list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. Notably, 30 of the awardees are women, and the list includes 8 individuals from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI, as well as 9 Posthumous awardees.

The Padma Awards, presented annually on the occasion of Republic Day, highlight exemplary contributions in various fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, among others.
Padma Shri (110)
| SN | Name | Field | State/Region/Country |
| 23 | Shri Khalil Ahamad | Art | Uttar Pradesh |
| 24 | Shri Badrappan M | Art | Tamil Nadu |
| 25 | Shri Kaluram Bamaniya | Art | Madhya Pradesh |
| 26 | Ms. Rezwana Choudhury Bannya | Art | Bangladesh |
| 27 | Ms. Naseem Bano | Art | Uttar Pradesh |
| 28 | Shri Ramlal Bareth | Art | Chhattisgarh |
| 29 | Ms. Gita Roy Barman | Art | West Bengal |
| 30 | Ms. Parbati Baruah | Social Work | Assam |
| 31 | Shri Sarbeswar Basumatary | Others – Agriculture | Assam |
| 32 | Shri Som Datt Battu | Art | Himachal Pradesh |
| 33 | Ms. Takdira Begum | Art | West Bengal |
| 34 | Shri Sathyanarayana Beleri | Others – Agriculture | Kerala |
| 35 | Shri Drona Bhuyan | Art | Assam |
| 36 | Shri Ashok Kumar Biswas | Art | Bihar |
| 37 | Shri Rohan Machanda Bopanna | Sports | Karnataka |
| 38 | Ms. Smriti Rekha Chakma | Art | Tripura |
| 39 | Shri Narayan Chakraborty | Science & Engineering | West Bengal |
| 40 | Shri A Velu Ananda Chari | Art | Telangana |
| 41 | Shri Ram Chet Chaudhary | Science & Engineering | Uttar Pradesh |
| 42 | Ms. K Chellammal | Others – Agriculture | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| 43 | Ms. Joshna Chinappa | Sports | Tamil Nadu |
| 44 | Ms. Charlotte Chopin | Others – Yoga | France |
| 45 | Shri Raghuveer Choudhary | Literature & Education | Gujarat |
| 46 | Shri Joe D Cruz | Literature & Education | Tamil Nadu |
| 47 | Shri Ghulam Nabi Dar | Art | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 48 | Shri Chitta Ranjan Debbarma | Others – Spiritualism | Tripura |
| 49 | Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande | Sports | Maharashtra |
| 50 | Ms. Prema Dhanraj | Medicine | Karnataka |
| 51 | Shri Radha Krishan Dhiman | Medicine | Uttar Pradesh |
| 52 | Shri Manohar Krishana Dole | Medicine | Maharashtra |
| 53 | Shri Pierre Sylvain Filliozat | Literature & Education | France |
| 54 | Shri Mahabir Singh Guddu | Art | Haryana |
| 55 | Ms. Anupama Hoskere | Art | Karnataka |
| 56 | Shri Yazdi Maneksha Italia | Medicine | Gujarat |
| 57 | Shri Rajaram Jain | Literature & Education | Uttar Pradesh |
| 58 | Shri Jankilal | Art | Rajasthan |
| 59 | Shri Ratan Kahar | Art | West Bengal |
| 60 | Shri Yashwant Singh Kathoch | Literature & Education | Uttarakhand |
| 61 | Shri Zahir I Kazi | Literature & Education | Maharashtra |
| 62 | Shri Gaurav Khanna | Sports | Uttar Pradesh |
| 63 | Shri Surendra Kishore | Literature & Education – Journalism | Bihar |
| 64 | Shri Dasari Kondappa | Art | Telangana |
| 65 | Shri Sridhar Makam Krishnamurthy | Literature & Education | Karnataka |
| 66 | Ms. Yanung Jamoh Lego | Others – Agriculture | Arunachal Pradesh |
| 67 | Shri Jordan Lepcha | Art | Sikkim |
| 68 | Shri Satendra Singh Lohia | Sports | Madhya Pradesh |
| 69 | Shri Binod Maharana | Art | Odisha |
| 70 | Ms. Purnima Mahato | Sports | Jharkhand |
| 71 | Ms. Uma Maheshwari D | Art | Andhra Pradesh |
| 72 | Shri Dukhu Majhi | Social Work | West Bengal |
| 73 | Shri Ram Kumar Mallick | Art | Bihar |
| 74 | Shri Hemchand Manjhi | Medicine | Chhattisgarh |
| 75 | Shri Chandrashekhar Mahadeorao Meshram | Medicine | Maharashtra |
| 76 | Shri Surendra Mohan Mishra (Posthumous) | Art | Uttar Pradesh |
| 77 | Shri Ali Mohammed & Shri Ghani Mohammed* (Duo) | Art | Rajasthan |
| 78 | Ms. Kalpana Morparia | Trade & Industry | Maharashtra |
| 79 | Ms. Chami Murmu | Social Work | Jharkhand |
| 80 | Shri Sasindran Muthuvel | Public Affairs | Papua New Guinea |
| 81 | Ms. G Nachiyar | Medicine | Tamil Nadu |
| 82 | Ms. Kiran Nadar | Art | Delhi |
| 83 | Shri Pakaravur Chithran Namboodiripad (Posthumous) | Literature & Education | Kerala |
| 84 | Shri Narayanan E P | Art | Kerala |
| 85 | Shri Shailesh Nayak | Science & Engineering | Delhi |
| 86 | Shri Harish Nayak (Posthumous) | Literature & Education | Gujarat |
| 87 | Shri Fred Negrit | Literature & Education | France |
| 88 | Shri Hari Om | Science & Engineering | Haryana |
| 89 | Shri Bhagabat Padhan | Art | Odisha |
| 90 | Shri Sanatan Rudra Pal | Art | West Bengal |
| 91 | Shri Shankar Baba Pundlikrao Papalkar | Social Work | Maharashtra |
| 92 | Shri Radhe Shyam Pareek | Medicine | Uttar Pradesh |
| 93 | Shri Dayal Mavjibhai Parmar | Medicine | Gujarat |
| 94 | Shri Binod Kumar Pasayat | Art | Odisha |
| 95 | Ms. Silbi Passah | Art | Meghalaya |
| 96 | Ms. Shanti Devi Paswan & Shri Shivan Paswan* (Duo) | Art | Bihar |
| 97 | Shri Sanjay Anant Patil | Others – Agriculture | Goa |
| 98 | Shri Muni Narayana Prasad | Literature & Education | Kerala |
| 99 | Shri K S Rajanna | Social Work | Karnataka |
| 100 | Shri Chandrashekar Channapatna Rajannachar | Medicine | Karnataka |
| 101 | Shri Bhagwatilal Rajpurohit | Literature & Education | Madhya Pradesh |
| 102 | Shri Romalo Ram | Art | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 103 | Shri Navjivan Rastogi | Literature & Education | Uttar Pradesh |
| 104 | Ms. Nirmal Rishi | Art | Punjab |
| 105 | Shri Pran Sabharwal | Art | Punjab |
| 106 | Shri Gaddam Sammaiah | Art | Telangana |
| 107 | Shri Sangthankima | Social Work | Mizoram |
| 108 | Shri Machihan Sasa | Art | Manipur |
| 109 | Shri Omprakash Sharma | Art | Madhya Pradesh |
| 110 | Shri Eklabya Sharma | Science & Engineering | West Bengal |
| 111 | Shri Ram Chander Sihag | Science & Engineering | Haryana |
| 112 | Shri Harbinder Singh | Sports | Delhi |
| 113 | Shri Gurvinder Singh | Social Work | Haryana |
| 114 | Shri Godawari Singh | Art | Uttar Pradesh |
| 115 | Shri Ravi Prakash Singh | Science & Engineering | Mexico |
| 116 | Shri Seshampatti T Sivalingam | Art | Tamil Nadu |
| 117 | Shri Somanna | Social Work | Karnataka |
| 118 | Shri Kethavath Somlal | Literature & Education | Telangana |
| 119 | Ms. Shashi Soni | Trade & Industry | Karnataka |
| 120 | Ms. Urmila Srivastava | Art | Uttar Pradesh |
| 121 | Shri Nepal Chandra Sutradhar (Posthumous) | Art | West Bengal |
| 122 | Shri Gopinath Swain | Art | Odisha |
| 123 | Shri Laxman Bhatt Tailang | Art | Rajasthan |
| 124 | Ms. Maya Tandon | Social Work | Rajasthan |
| 125 | Ms. Aswathi Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi Thampuratty | Literature & Education | Kerala |
| 126 | Shri Jagdish Labhshanker Trivedi | Art | Gujarat |
| 127 | Ms. Sano Vamuzo | Social Work | Nagaland |
| 128 | Shri Balakrishnan Sadanam Puthiya Veetil | Art | Kerala |
| 129 | Shri Kurella Vittalacharya | Literature & Education | Telangana |
| 130 | Shri Kiran Vyas | Others – Yoga | France |
| 131 | Shri Jageshwar Yadav | Social Work | Chhattisgarh |
| 132 | Shri Babu Ram Yadav | Art | Uttar Pradesh |
Recipients of these prestigious awards are honored by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically in March or April. The Padma Awards serve as a testament to the remarkable achievements and service rendered by individuals in their respective fields, enriching the fabric of the nation’s cultural, social, and economic landscape.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed newly registered voters, urging them to wield the power of their votes against what he referred to as ‘parivarwadi’ (family-run) political entities. In a virtual interaction during the Namo Navmatdata Sammelan, PM Modi emphasized the youth’s role in combating corruption and nepotism.
Expressing his viewpoint, PM Modi remarked, “The mindset of leaders of these parties is anti-youth. You have to defeat these family-run parties with the strength of your votes.” He highlighted the significance of the youth’s inclusion in the democratic process during the current transformative period in India.
Addressing the participants, he said, “You all have a great opportunity to decide how you can get your names etched with golden letters in a developed India. Our speed, direction, approach will be decided by you all, and voting will be one big medium of it.”
Emphasizing the impact of individual votes, PM Modi stated, “Your one vote has very big power. When there is a stable and full majority government in the country, then the nation can take big decisions.” He underlined the importance of a stable government for making substantial decisions in the country’s interest.
Speaking on the numerous opportunities available for youngsters, PM Modi assured, “It is Modi’s guarantee that your dreams are my resolve,” reaffirming his commitment to prioritizing the youth in his policies.
Expressing delight at the participation of a significant number of young women in the event, PM Modi extended warm wishes on National Voters Day. He recognized the immense potential held by the youth in driving the nation towards progress and development.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in commemorating the birth anniversary of the revered freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, observed as Parakram Diwas (Day of Valour) on January 23.
Extending greetings to the people of India, PM Modi underscored Netaji’s dedicated contribution to the nation’s freedom. In a tweet, he stated, “Greetings to the people of India on Parakram Diwas. Today on his Jayanti, we honour the life and courage of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His unwavering dedication to our nation’s freedom continues to inspire.”
President Droupadi Murmu paid her respects, acknowledging Netaji’s extraordinary commitment to India’s independence and his lasting impact on the freedom struggle. In a tribute, she emphasized, “I pay my tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, observed as Parakram Diwas! Netaji demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the cause of India’s freedom. His unparalleled courage and charisma inspired Indians to fight fearlessly against colonial rule. The nation will always remember Netaji with utmost gratitude.”
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also remembered the fearless leader, tweeting, “Remembering the fearless leader, #Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, on his birth anniversary, celebrated as Parakram Diwas. His indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to India’s independence continue to inspire us all.”
Dhankhar highlighted Netaji’s iconic words, “Give me blood and I shall give you freedom,” as a timeless rallying cry for liberty and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the struggle for independence. He concluded, “May this day serve as a reminder to keep Bharat first, and to work tirelessly towards a united, prosperous, and free India.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute to Netaji, calling him the “great hero of the freedom struggle” and leader of the ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ (Indian National Army). He posted, “Humble tribute to the great hero of the freedom struggle, leader of ‘Azad Hind Fauj,’ ‘Netaji’ Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary! Tribute to the memories of the national hero and revered ‘Netaji’ on ‘Valour Day’!”
The government officially declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021, commemorating the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The day serves as a collective tribute to his indomitable spirit and significant contributions to India’s fight for freedom.
Historic Moment as PM Modi Leads Consecration at Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Idol Revealed.
In a landmark event that marks the culmination of a 50-year project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, unveiling the consecration of the idol. Here are the key highlights:
PM Modi at Ayodhya:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully led the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a significant project realized just months before the general election.
Joint Effort with RSS:
Live visuals showed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seated next to PM Modi, symbolizing the joint efforts of the BJP and RSS in the Ram Temple project.


PM’s Pleasure in Divine Program:
PM Modi expressed his “great pleasure” to be part of the “divine program” at the Ram Temple. The ceremony unfolded, creating an emotional moment during the consecration.
Aerial View of Ayodhya:
The PM shared an aerial video of Ayodhya, showcasing the beautifully decorated temple. The video was reportedly shot from the helicopter that ferried him to the temple.
Nationwide Celebrations:


The consecration is being celebrated across India, with Indians globally participating in prayers at local temples. The occasion is compared to ‘Diwali,’ signifying the joyous festivities.

Diverse Guest List:
High-profile invitees, including Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Katrina Kaif, and business magnates Sunil Bharti Mittal and Anil Ambani, along with cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, witnessed the historic event.
PM’s Preparations and Interaction:
PM Modi reportedly observed rituals, including sleeping on the floor and consuming only coconut water, in preparation for the ceremony. He also interacted with laborers who contributed to the temple’s construction.
Shankaracharyas’ Absence:
The absence of shankaracharyas from premier monasteries sparked controversy, with Puri and Joshimath shankaracharyas criticizing the incomplete temple and questioning the seating arrangement during the event.
Historical Context:
The construction of the temple began following a landmark Supreme Court judgment in 2019, allocating the disputed land for the temple and providing an alternate plot for a mosque. The event concludes a decades-long political and religious saga.
This historic event, celebrated with enthusiasm and controversies, symbolizes the realization of a longstanding aspiration for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Chidambara Sastry’s Yantra – A Key Player in Ayodhya Sacred Rituals
A momentous occasion is unfolding in Ayodhya as preparations for the consecration ceremony of Lord Rama’s idol reach their pinnacle. Leading this divine endeavor is Chidambara Sastry, a spiritual luminary renowned for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and Hanuman, who journeyed from Andhra Pradesh to Ayodhya. His unique expertise is channeled into the creation of the Rama Yantra, an intricately designed spiritual tool central to the upcoming ceremony.
Ceremony Overview:
Ayodhya is abuzz with anticipation as the consecration ceremony for Lord Rama’s idol is scheduled for Monday, promising a deeply spiritual experience.
Sastry’s Integral Role:
Chidambara Sastry, the President of Hanumath Chitti Jagaran Samithi, stands as the driving force behind the meticulously crafted Rama Yantra.
Hailing from Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, Sastry’s spiritual journey is marked by profound connections to Lord Rama and Hanuman.
Crafting the Rama Yantra:
Entrusted with the sacred task in 2014, Sastry’s spiritual discipline and dedication shine through as he intricately prepares the Rama Yantra.
Using ancient Sanskrit script, Sastry inscribes Mantras of great spiritual significance onto the Yantra.
Significance of Rama Yantra:
The Rama Yantra plays a vital role in the consecration ceremony, acting as a conduit for spiritual energy and enhancing the sacred vibrations during the event.
Recognition from Temple Authorities:
The Ayodhya Temple Trust expresses gratitude for Sastry’s invaluable contribution, acknowledging the profound spiritual energy he infuses into the idol installation.
Sastry’s commitment and devotion receive praise for elevating the sacredness of this momentous task.
Sastry’s Blessing and Perspective:
Speaking with Akashvani News, Chidambara Sastry expresses his deep sense of blessing for being chosen for this sacred responsibility.
He views this opportunity not merely as a duty but as a divine chance bestowed upon him.
As Ayodhya prepares for this spiritual milestone, Chidambara Sastry’s craftsmanship with the Rama Yantra adds a touch of divinity to the impending consecration, creating an atmosphere rich with spiritual energy.
Under-19 World Cup 2024, India, the five-time champions, are set to defend their title against Bangladesh. Led by Uday Saharan, the young Indian squad is gearing up to extend their remarkable record to six wins in the tournament. Here’s what you need to know about this exciting clash:
Date and Time:
The much-anticipated match between India and Bangladesh will take place on January 20.
The action kicks off at 1:30 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 1:00 PM.
Where to Watch:
Catch all the action live on Star Sports as they broadcast the India vs Bangladesh U19 World Cup match.
Team India:
Captain Uday Saharan will lead a talented squad featuring players like Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, and Musheer Khan.
Other team members include Priyanshu Moliya, Sachin Dhas, and Murugan Abhishek, among others, forming a formidable unit ready to make their mark.
Tournament Overview:
India, with a rich history in the Under-19 World Cup, first lifted the trophy in 2002 under the leadership of Mohammad Kaif.
Since then, the Indian team has secured victories in 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022, making them the most successful team in the history of the tournament.
Group Stage and Beyond:
Placed in Group A, India will start their campaign against Bangladesh at the Manguang Oval.
The tournament features four groups, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the Super Sixes.
Semifinals are scheduled for February 6 and 8, leading to the grand finale on February 11 at Benoni.
Final Thoughts:
The U19 World Cup promises exciting cricket action as the next generation of stars looks to make their mark on the international stage.
With a blend of experience and young talent, India aims to set the tone for a successful title defense against Bangladesh.
Don’t miss out on the excitement as these promising young cricketers battle it out for glory in South Africa!
In Solapur’s Spotlight: Projects worth 2000 crores for urban development are set up by PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects in Solapur, Maharashtra, emphasizing his government’s commitment to the welfare of underprivileged families. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the significant achievements, including providing 4 crore pucca houses and 10 crore toilets, benefiting millions of families.
During the ceremony, PM Modi announced the extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana for the next five years, underscoring the government’s dedication to uplifting the impoverished. He celebrated the completion of 90,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban and 15,000 houses in the Raynagar Housing Society in Solapur. The beneficiaries include handloom workers, vendors, power loom workers, rag pickers, bidi workers, and drivers.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, PM Modi noted that past governments merely propagated slogans of ‘Gareebi Hatao’ (remove poverty) without tangible results. He emphasized the transparency his government brought, ensuring that benefits reach the intended recipients.
Additionally, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for 8 projects of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) valued at around 2,000 crores rupees. The projects aim to enhance urban infrastructure and rejuvenate cities.
The Prime Minister also initiated the distribution of the 1st and 2nd installments to 10,000 beneficiaries of PM-SVANIDHI in the state, further empowering small business owners.
Governor of Maharashtra, Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadanvis, and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar were present during the event.
Later in the day, PM Modi is set to visit Karnataka, where he will inaugurate the Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre in Bengaluru. This 43-acre campus, built with an investment of 1,600 crores rupees, will play a vital role in developing next-generation products and services for the global aerospace and defense industry.
The Prime Minister’s three-day itinerary also includes a visit to Tamil Nadu, where he will be the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of the 6th Khelo India Youth Games 2023 in Chennai. Additionally, he will launch and lay the foundation stone for projects worth 250 Crore rupees in the broadcasting sector, reinforcing the government’s focus on media development.
As part of his visit to Tamil Nadu, PM Modi plans to visit various temples, rounding off a comprehensive tour with a mix of infrastructure inaugurations and cultural engagements.
Ayodhya’s Big Day: Central Govt Offices to Close Early for Ram Temple Event
New Delhi: In light of the upcoming consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, all central government offices in India will observe a half-day holiday on January 22, as announced by Union minister Jitendra Singh. The decision aims to honor the sentiments surrounding the occasion.
The Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha, scheduled for January 22, 2024, will be a nationwide celebration. To allow employees to participate in these festivities, a directive has been issued stating that all central government offices, institutions, and industrial establishments throughout India will be closed for half a day until 1430 hours on January 22, 2024.
This half-day holiday is a gesture to acknowledge the significance of the Ram Temple consecration and to enable the participation of central government employees in the celebratory events. The decision aligns with the government’s commitment to recognizing and respecting cultural and religious occasions that hold importance for citizens across the country.
PM Modi ‘s Kochi Triumph: A Boon for Shipping, Repair, and Energy Sectors
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate three significant infrastructure projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore at a ceremony on January 17, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala. The unveiling will take place at the Wellingdon Island and will include the New Dry Dock Facility at the Cochin Shipyard, the International Ship Repair facility at Wellingdon Island, and the Indian Oil Corporation’s LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen.
The New Dry Dock facility, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,799 crore, stands as the country’s largest dry dock. Capable of accommodating LNG Carriers, large vessels, and oil rigs, it features a dual purpose, equipped with a 600-tonne gantry crane for ship construction and repairs. Eliminating dependency on foreign countries, this facility is set to play a pivotal role in constructing and repairing large and specialized ships and marine structures.
The International Ship Repair facility at Wellingdon Island, built at a cost of Rs 970 crore, is designed with six workstations, allowing simultaneous repair of six vessels. This facility positions the nation as a major ship repair center and contributes significantly to enhancing the ship repair capacity of the country, establishing Kochi as a key hub in this domain.
In addition, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Rs 1,236 crore IOC LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen, catering to the LPG requirements of southern India. This project will streamline LPG distribution through road and pipeline transfers, benefiting bottling plants in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Anticipated to result in an annual logistic savings of Rs 150 crore and a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 18,000 tonnes per annum, this initiative marks a sustainable stride towards energy efficiency.
With the commissioning of these projects, India’s maritime industry is set for robust growth, self-sufficiency, and enhanced global prominence. The infrastructure boost aligns with the government’s vision for a more resilient and progressive nation.