Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshay Kumar are among the honorees for this years Padma Shri Awards. Also being honored with the award are star of yesteryear Helen, singer Udit Narayan, singer Hridaynath Mangeshkar and ghazal singer Penaz Masani. Crikceter Dhoni was also awarded a Padma Shri for his outstanding achievements in sports.
The Padma Shri is an award given to honor contributions to Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Social Service and public life given by the Indian Government. It is the country’s fourth highest honor.
Aishwarya said, “I am thrilled to hear that the government has accorded me such a big honour.” Amitabh honored his daughter-in-law on his blog writing, “Aishwarya comes in from Chennai tomorrow early. Her Padma Shri decoration on announcement on the wires. We are all happy for her recognition. It will be the 5th National Padma decoration in the family. My Father the first with a Padma Bhushan, then me with a Padma Shri, followed again after a few years with a Padma Bhushan, Jaya with a Padma Shri and now Aishwarya.
5 Padma awardees in one family !! God is generous and kind.”
Olympic gold medal winner Abhinav Bindra was awarded a Padma Bhushan, the third highest honor given, for winning India’s first individual gold medal. Bindra said, “I am indeed humbled by the honour bestowed upon me. I understand that this is an honour not just for me, but for the sportsmen and women of India whom I represent.”
A total of 133 Padma awards were awarded: 10 Padma Vibhushan, 30 Padma Bhushan and 93 Padma Shri.
Congratulations to the winners!
