Renowned music composer Illaiyaraja, Hindutava thinker Parameswaran Parameswaran and 41 other prominent personalities will the conferred with the prestigious Padma awards in 2018 by President Ram Nath Kovind today..
The function will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here in the presence of Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministerial colleagues besides others, an official said.
Keeping its promise of honoring “unsung heroes”, the government this year honored with Padma awards several personalities who served the poor, set up free schools and popularised tribal arts globally.
This year, as many as 84 Padma awards were announced, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one). The list comprises three Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan and 72 Padma Shri awards, the official said.
They are awarded in different fields and disciplines such as art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade, and industry.
The remaining awardees of the Padma award 2018 will be conferred with the honor at another special function to be held on April 2.
PTI Inputs