Republic Day anticipation peaked with the Home Ministry’s Padma Awards declaration, honoring 131 individuals for exemplary service. In trade and industry, Uday Kotak’s Padma Bhushan crowns his journey from Kotak Mahindra Finance to a leading bank, symbolizing resilience and strategic brilliance in India’s financial sector.
Padma Shri recipients include Ashok Khade, steering Das Offshore Engineering in challenging shipping terrains, Satyanarayan Nuwal, whose Solar Industries excels in defense explosives, and the late TT Jagannathan of Prestige, whose appliances redefined Indian kitchens posthumously.
The awards comprise five Vibhushan, 13 Bhushan, and 113 Shri, featuring 19 women, six foreign-origin Indians, and 16 departed souls. Positioned after Bharat Ratna, Padma honors distinguish Vibhushan for unparalleled feats, Bhushan for elite service, and Shri for specialized distinctions.
A Republic Day staple since 1954, these awards spotlight long-term impacts in arts, commerce, healthcare, education, and beyond. Presented by the President in Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremonies around March-April, they embody national appreciation.
This announcement reaffirms India’s ethos of rewarding meritocracy, spotlighting how business visionaries propel the economy forward amid global challenges.