The Centre has announced the Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day. Of the 106 Padma awards announced on Wednesday, six are Padma Vibhushan, nine are Padma Bhushan and 91 are Padma Shri. Nineteen of the awardees are women. Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) pioneer Dilip Mahalanobis will be awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in the field of Medicine (Pediatrics). He pioneered the wide use of ORS, believed to have saved over five crore lives globally. Former Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav will be awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously in the field of public affairs. Tabla Mestro Zakir Hussain will also be awarded Padma Vibhushan. Those who will be honoured with Padma Bhushan inlcude Kannada novelist and screenwriter S L Bhyrappa,Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and Author and Philanthropist Sudha Murthy.
Ratan Chandra Kar, a Retired Government Doctor from Andamans working with the Jarawa tribe who inhabit an island 48 km from North Sentinel, will receive Padma Shri in the field of Medicine (Physician). Hirabai Lobi, a Siddi Tribal social worker and leader, who has dedicated her life to the betterment of the Siddi community in Gujarat, will receive Padma Shri in the field of Social Work (Tribal).
Ramkuiwangbe Newme, a Naga Social Worker from Dima Hasao who dedicated his life to the conservation and preservation of the Heraka religion, will be awarded Padma Shri in the field of Social Work (Culture). Vadivel Gopal and Masi Sadaiyan, Expert Snake Catchers from Irula Tribe, specialised in catching dangerous and venomous snakes, will receive Padma Shri in the field of Social Work (Animal Welfare). Tula Ram Upreti, a 98-year-old self-sustained small farmer, practising organic farming using only traditional methods, will receive Padma Shri in the field of Others (Agriculture). Ajay Kumar Mandavi, Gond Tribal Wood Carver from Kanker will receive Padma Shri in the field of Art (Wood Carving). Ghulam Muhammad Zaz, an 8th Generation Santoor Craftsman from a family known for making the finest Santoors in Kashmir for the last 200 years, will receive Padma Shri in the field of Art (Craft).
These Awards are conferred by the President at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March and April every year.