For the first time, around 10-12 ‘unsung heroes,’ who have done commendable work in various fields including ecology, sanitation, agriculture and similar fields are likely to figure in the awardees’ list. This has been done on the suggestion of the Prime Minister.
According to the reports, people were chosen from various professions and regions of the country from around 16,000 applications received. The list was than shunted down to 4,500 before the awardees were finalised.
The list of Padma awardees this year includes around 160 names including of former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu and her coach P Gopichand.
The Padma awards 2017 are set to be announced on January 25, coinciding with Republic Day eve.
Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman and badminton player P Gopichand were part of the jury that selected the winners.
Meanwhile, politicians like Sharad Pawar, Murli Manohar Joshi, the late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed are expected to get Padma Vibhushan this year.
Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
