The government had begun inviting nominations for the awards in May last year and received around 5,000 entries, from which 500 names were shortlisted in December. Chef Sanjeev Kumar, Social worker Balbir Singh Seechewal and cricketer Virat Kohli. NCP chief Sharad Pawar and BJP Murli Manohar Joshi are also included in the list.
These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/April every year.
This year 89 people are getting the Padma Awards. There are seven Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and seventy-five Padma Shri awardees. Nineteen of the awardees are women and the list also includes five people from the category of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs and six posthumous awardees.
About Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal: It was 16 years ago when Balbir Singh Seechewal took up the challenging of cleaning 160 km long water body, Kali Bein, a rivulet in Punjab. According to legend, the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji had got enlightenment while sitting on its banks. His efforts will be rewarded this year when he receives the Padma Shri award. He is the second religious leader from Punjab who has been awarded Padma Shri award for working for the environment. Baba Sewa Singh of Khadoor Sahib was given this award in 2010 when he planted thousands of trees and played a major role in greening of parts of Majha region.
About Virat Kohli: Virat KOhli has been captain of the Indian Test Team since 2014. Earlier in January, he was made captain of India’s ODI and T20setup after MS Dhoni resigned from the post. Kohli then led India to a 2-1 victory over England in the recently concluded ODI series. As Test Captain, India have been unbeaten in 18 consecutive matches under Kohli and is also the number one side in the ICC Test ranking.
About Chef Sanjeev Kapoor: For at least two decades now, Sanjeev Kapoor has become a household name in India. He became popular with his cooking show Khana Khazana in 1990s. In recent times, he has launched his own food channel, Food Food, has been a judge on MasterChef India and continues to charm and cook his way through to our hearts.
Apart from these, Sakshi Malik, who won India’s first medal in the Rio Olympics 2016 has also been named for Padma Shri award. She is the first Indian wrestler and the fourth female Indian athlete overall to win an Olympic medal.
PR Sreejesh has also been named as an awardee.
Source: SBS Punjabi
Source: SBS
Source: foodfood.com
Source: Indian Express
