President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Padma Awards for the year 2022 at a special ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.
The first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, who was killed in a chopper crash last year, are among those conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.
Five noted personalities from Odisha were also felicitated with the top civilian recognitions at the event.
Noted spiritual guru Baba Balia was conferred with Padma Shri for his distinguished service in the field of social work. Acclaimed classical music vocalist Shyamamani Devi was also honoured with the country's third highest civilian award, Padma Shri for her contributions to Odissi music.
Similarly, eminent litterateur Narasingha Prasad Guru was awarded the Padma Shri for distinguished services in the field of literature and education.
This apart, distinguished Biologist Aditya Prasad Dash and IAS Officer Guruprasad Mohapatra (posthumous) were presented the Padma Shri. A noted Civil Servant, Mohapatra who succumbed to Covid-19 while working from the ICU during the pandemic was nominated for the award from Delhi.
The government had announced the list of 128 Padma awardees on the eve of the Republic Day in the fields of art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil services.
Two more eminent faces from Odisha will be presented with the Padma Awards for this year, including Padma Bhushan to famous writer Pratibha Ray.