Srinagar, Jan 25 (KNS): Former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and senior Congress leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad was on Tuesday conferred with the Padma Bhushan award on the eve of Republic Day. 

According to a list, issued by ministry of Home Affairs, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Ghulam Nabi Azad has been conferred with Padma Bhushan award in the field of Public Affairs.

Meanwhile, a martial arts coach from Bandipora district, Faisal Ali Dar and educationist, Vishwamurti Shastri were conferred with Padma Shri awards on the occasion of Republic Day

Faisal Ali, a former international martial arts champion, has been conferred with the civilian award in the field of sports, while Shastri has been conferred with the award in the field of literature and education. 

Notably, Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 

The Awards are given in various disciplines or fields of activities, viz- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 

Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. 

The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. 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 the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). 

This year’s awardees include 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 34 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners, NRI, PIO, OCI and 13 Posthumous awardees.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha congratulated all the Padma awardees from Jammu and Kashmir. 

“Heartiest congratulations to Padma Awardees Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad (Padma Bhushan), Shri Vishwamurti Shastri  (Padma Shri) and Shri Faisal Ali Dar (Padma Shri), for their valuable contributions in the field of Public Affairs, Literature & Education and Sports,” office of LG J&K Tweeted. (KNS)