Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Manohar Parrikar awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously

New Delhi, November 08: Former external affairs minister, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Sushma Swaraj, and former finance minister Arun Jaitley were conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award on Monday. Both the BJP leaders were given the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented 119 Padma Awards that included seven Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 102 Padma Shri Awards. Sushma Swaraj's daughter Bansuri Swaraj received the award on her behalf, while Jailtey's award was presented to his wife Sangeeta.

 

 

 

Moreover, former Defence Minister and three-time CM of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, was also conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award posthumously. The stalwarts were among the 16 posthumous awardees this year.

 

 

Sushma Swaraj served as a minister in all the governments headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and held various portfolios. She was External Affairs Minister in the previous BJP-led government and was the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi for a brief period in 1998. She passed away at AIIMS on August 6 last year following a cardiac arrest. Thousands bid adieu to the late minister as she was laid to rest with full state honors.

 

Besides, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, singer Adnan Sami, and badminton player PV Sindhu were among those who received one of the highest civilian honours in India. President Ram Nath Kovind also presented the Padma Shri Award to Rani Rampal, captain of the women’s hockey team Rani Rampal. Air Marshal Dr. Padma Bandopadhyay (Retd.) also received the Padma Shri award for her contributions to medicine.

 

 

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India. The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order), and Padma Shri (distinguished service). 

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