Padma Shri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Padma Shri |
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|---|---|
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| Country |  India |
| Type | National Civilian |
| Ribbon |  |
| Obverse | A centrally located lotus flower is embossed and the text "Padma" written in Devanagari script is placed above and the text "Shri" is placed below the lotus. |
| Reverse | A platinum State Emblem of India placed in the centre with the national motto of India, "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth alone triumphs) in Devanagari Script |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1954 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) |  Kirti Chakra |
| Next (lower) |  Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak |
The Padma Shri (which means 'Lotus Honour' in Sanskrit) is a very important award in India. It is the fourth-highest award given to civilians in the country. Only the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan, and the Padma Bhushan are higher.
This award was started on January 2, 1954. It is given to people who have done amazing things in many different areas. This includes arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service, and public affairs. The Government of India gives out these awards every year on India's Republic Day.
History of the Award
The Padma Awards began in 1954. They were created to celebrate Indian citizens who made special contributions. These contributions could be in fields like arts, education, business, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service, and public service. Sometimes, people who are not Indian citizens but have helped India a lot also receive this award.
In the past, some people felt that the way award winners were chosen wasn't always fair. To make things better, India now has an online system. This allows regular citizens to suggest names for the annual Padma awards.
The medal itself has a special design. On the front, you can see the words "Padma" (meaning lotus) and "Shri" (meaning noble one) written in Devanagari script. These words are placed above and below a beautiful lotus flower. The patterns on the sides are made of shiny bronze. All the raised parts of the medal are made of white gold.
As of 2023, more than 3,400 people have received the Padma Shri award. In 2023 alone, 91 people were honored with it.
People Who Declined the Award
Sometimes, people are offered the Padma Shri but choose not to accept it. There are different reasons for this. For example, famous musician Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee and sitar player Vilayat Khan both turned it down.
Some people, like environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna, first said no to the Padma Shri. However, they later accepted a higher award, such as the Padma Bhushan or Padma Vibhushan. Other people, like film-maker Aribam Syam Sharma, accepted the award at first but later returned it.
In 2022, a well-known Bengali singer named "Gitashri" Sandhya Mukhopadhyay turned down the award. She was 90 years old at the time. Her family said that she felt her long career deserved a higher honor than the Padma Shri. She believed the Padma Shri was more suitable for newer artists. Because she refused, her name was not included in the list of awardees that year.
Awards by Year
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (1954–1959)
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (1960–1969)
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (1970–1979)
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (1980–1989)
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (1990–1999)
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (2000–2009)
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (2010–2019)
- List of Padma Shri award recipients (2020–2029)
Awards by Field
See also
In Spanish: Premio Padma Shri para niños
- List of recipients of the Padma Shri in sports
