Padma Awards Indian-American CEOs, others, recognized by Government of India on eve of Republic Day

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Indian-American actress and doyen of Indian cuisine Madhur Jaffrey as well as Microsoft CEO Satya Narayana Nadella, are among a few Indian-Americans recognized in the list of Padma Awards announced by the Government of India Jan. 25, 2022, on the eve of Republic Day.

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India and are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

Jaffrey received the Padma Bhushan in the field of ‘Culinary’ arts, and Nadella received the Padma Bhushan for his achievements in ‘Trade and Industry’.

Sundararajan Pichai, head of Google, was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in the field ‘Trade and Industry.’

Others recognized from the Indian diaspora include a posthumous Padma Bhushan to Sanjaya Rajaram from Mexico, for his lifetime achievements in ‘Science and Engineering’.

Dr. Prokar Dasgupta from United Kingdom received the Padma Shri in the field of ‘Medicine’, and Rutger Kortenhorst from Ireland in the field of ‘Literature and Education.’

Also included in the Padma Shri category are Maria Christopher Byrski of Poland for her achievements in ‘Literature and Education’ as well as Ryuko Hira of Japan in the field of ‘Trade and Industry’.

From Thailand, Chirapat Prapandavidya received the Padma Shri for his work in the field of ‘Literature and Education’, as did Tatiana Lvovna Shaumyan of Russia.

This year, a total of 128 Padma Awards were conferred, of which 4 are in the highest category of Padma Vibhushan, 17 are Padma Bhushan, and 107 are Padma Shri awards. Thirty four of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/Non-resident Indians/People of Indian origin/Overseas Citizens of India, a press release from the government said.