Padma Bhushan

Padma Bhushan
Awarded by President of India
Type Civilian
Category National
Description
Ribbon
Statistics
Instituted 1954
First awarded 1954
Last awarded 2016
Total awarded 1230
Award rank
 Padma Vibhushan[1] Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal[1] 

The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is announced on the occasion of Republic Day of India every year. It is conferred by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan sometime around March/ April.

History

The award was established on 2 January 1954 by the president of India. It is awarded to recognize distinguished service of a high order to the nation, in any field. As of December 2015, 1230 people have thus far received the award.[2][3] In 2013 the veteran playback singer Mrs.S. Janaki rejected the award, stating that the honour came to her too late and that the artists of South India were not duly recognised.[4]

Famous refusals

Although the Padma awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, are the highest civilian awards in India and those selected for the award are famous for their contribution to Indian social, cultural, economic, political or other spheres of life, several noted public figures have refused the award on various grounds. The eminent jurist and former Chief Justice of India J. S. Verma was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2014. His family refused to accept the award as they believed Justice Verma in principle "was never a man to yearn or lobby for any acclaim, reward or favour.".[5]"[6]

Several artists, including musicians and writers such as S Janaki, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Romila Thapar, Sitara Devi and Phanishwarnath Renu, have also refused Padma awards due to various reasons, including personal pride and what has been described as 'national interest'.[7]

List of Awardees

References

External links

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