Latest news with #Padma
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘Padma award validates all decisions I've made' says musician Ricky Kej
Among the Padma awardees gathered at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday evening to receive one of the country's highest civilian honours, was Bengaluru's own musician Ricky Kej who attended the ceremony with his mother on his arm. In a brief chat on a flight en route the USA, the three-time Grammy award winner shared the surreal joy of receiving the Padma Shri, saying, 'The award itself was announced on the eve of Republic Day this year and I was overjoyed, but it felt absolutely real only when I actually stepped into the Rashtrapati Bhavan.' Explaining the preparation that happens behind the scenes of what the nation sees on screen, he added, 'In the morning, a rehearsal was organised and it helped all of us award winners to be less nervous – we practiced the entire event flow, and pathway to walk to the president. We also got to know a little bit about the history of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.' Despite this, Kej's nerves had not completely dissipated. 'When my name was called out, it was a complete blur,' he recalls. Because of being 'humbled by the entire event itself', Kej chose to make the walk barefoot. 'It is so amazing that the award goes to unsung heroes – people who are doing amazing work at the grassroots level, helping communities that have been historically left behind, and furthering the arts. It felt like I was in a temple and it was overwhelming as a spiritual moment. That is why I decided to walk barefoot and accept the award,' he explains, adding that despite his four Grammy nominations and three wins, the Padma Shri is the most special to him.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Mussoorie-based travel writers and Gandhian activist honoured with Padma Shri
Mussoorie: Mussoorie-based travel writer duo Hugh Gantzer and Colleen Gantzer (posthumously), along with noted social activist Radha Bhatt , were awarded the Padma Shri on Tuesday. Hugh Gantzer told TOI, "It is a matter of great honour to receive this award, particularly because I understand that these awards are given based on recommendations by the people of India and only about 120 Padma awards are given each year out of a population of nearly 1.5 billion in our country. " He fondly remembered his late wife Colleen, noting that it was her love of travel that inspired their journey into travel writing. The couple began their career when they were commissioned to write a book on Kerala for the India Tourism Development Corporation. Over the next five decades, the Gantzers produced 52 documentaries for Doordarshan, authored over 30 books, and contributed travel columns to several leading English newspapers. Their work earned them six national accolades, including a National Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award, and two gold awards from the Pacific Asia Travel Association. In 2017, they also received commendation from the Prime Minister's Office for their pioneering contributions to travel writing. Radha Bhatt, often referred to as the 'Gandhian of the Hills,' was honoured for her lifelong commitment to women's empowerment and environmental conservation. Over seven decades, she established 25 Bal Mandirs (children's learning centres), benefitting more than 15,000 children. She also founded a vocational training school for women and launched innovative educational initiatives such as the 'One-Hour School' to provide girls with basic education and practical skills. In addition to her work in education, Bhatt played a crucial role in environmental preservation. Her efforts led to the planting of over 1,60,000 trees across Pithoragarh and Almora districts. She was a prominent figure in both the Chipko Movement and the Sarvodaya-Bhoodan Movement.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Achievements of Padma awardees will inspire generations: Amit Shah
The Padma Awards ceremony realises Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's vision to encourage people-led social transformations by honouring individuals who have quietly brought positive changes, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said. Hosting a dinner in honour of those who were conferred with the Padma Awards on Tuesday night, Shah also said that the achievements of the awardees will inspire generations. "The Padma Awards ceremony realises Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's vision to encourage people-led social transformations by honouring individuals who have quietly brought positive changes," the minister said after the ceremony. Shah congratulated the luminaries who were conferred with the Padma Awards. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. "Pleased to have hosted the stalwarts who have been honoured with the Padma awards 2025," he said. The home minister spoke to the awardees about their unique life journeys and the changes they have fostered in society, and said that it was an engrossing experience. Live Events "At the dinner hosted for the Padma awardees today, (I) had the pleasure of interacting with the distinguished personalities from diverse walks of life who are making our world better in their own unique ways," he said. Former chief justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, Bharatnatyam dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag and King George's Medical University Vice Chancellor Soniya Nityanand were among the 68 eminent personalities conferred with the coveted Padma Awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday. A total of 139 distinguished persons were named for the country's civilian awards -- Padma Vibhushan , Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on January 25. The President gave awards to 68 chosen ones on Tuesday in the second civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Modi and Shah, among others. During the first investiture ceremony on April 28, President Murmu conferred Padma Awards on 71 personalities. In the ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan's Ganatantra Mandap, President Murmu conferred the country's second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, on Justice (retd) Khehar for public affairs. The awards for Kathak dancer late Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia and legendary folk singer late Sharda Sinha were received by Lakhia's grandson and Sinha's son, respectively. The President also handed over nine Padma Bhushans, the third highest civilian award, to noted personalities, including Chandrakumar, businessman Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, archaeologist Kailash Nath Dikshit, dancer Jatin Goswami, actor Anant Nag and Sadhvi Ritambhara. The awards for economist late Bibek Debroy and former Maharashtra chief minister and Lok Sabha speaker late Manohar Joshi were received by Debroy's wife and Joshi's son, respectively. The awards are given in various disciplines and fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service, among others. 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. Ever since the Modi government came to power in 2014, it has started honouring the " unsung heroes " with the Padma Awards, thus transforming them into "People's Padma". This year, the Padma Awards were given to 30 "unsung heroes".
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who started her career with cabaret dance, rose to fame with one role, was Meena Kumari's..., quit actin after..., is now...
In the 80s, 90s and the following years, the Indian TV serials were being picked up by people in India. While many serials made it to the audience's TV screens, only a few of them turned out to be a huge hit, and among them was Ramayan. Released in 1987, the show featured Arun Govil essaying the role of Lord Ram. The story of the series stuck with the audience and despite being 38 years since its release, the serial is still discussed among people. It was one of those serials which gave name and fame to all its actors. Among them was Padma Khanna. If the name doesn't ring a bell, then do you remember who played Kaikeyi in Ramayan? If the face appears in front of your mind, then it was Padma Khanna for you. Do you know that even before appearing in Ramayan, Padma was a cabaret dancer? Yes, you read that right! When Padma Khanna was hardly 7, she started to learn dance from Pandit Birju Maharaj. She was a very beautiful dancer. Seeing her talent, Padmini and Vaijayantimala suggested her to find a career in films. In 1970, Padma got a chance to work in Dev Anand's film Johnny Mera Naam. In this film, she appeared in the role of a cabaret dancer. However, Padma Khanna was stereotyped in the industry and was only offered roles of the dancers. Do you know that Padma worked as Meena Kumari's double in Pakeezah? Padma got her real identity from Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan. Although Padma initially rejected the offer of this show because of the negative role, Ramanand later convinced her a lot and finally Padma agreed to become 'Kaikeyi', which she portrayed on screen with such beauty and vivaciousness that even today one cannot even imagine seeing anyone else in this role. Padma now runs her own Kathak dance academy called Indianica Dance Academy.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: May 28, 2025
U.S. looking to slow down processing of all student visas Days after trying to ban international students at the U.S.'s Harvard University, the Trump administration appears to be slowing down all international student visa processing and tightening requirements for international students on campus. According to a report by U.S.-based Politico, that was later reported by Bloomberg news agency, a cable sent by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio late on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) ordered that no 'visa appointment capacity' should be added at embassies worldwide until arrangements for 'social media screening and vetting' are put into place. Protesters lock Central government offices in Manipur The civil disobedience campaign in Manipur's Imphal Valley intensified on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) with protesters fanning out to lock Central government offices. The action was concentrated in the State's capital, Imphal, which straddles two of the five districts comprising the Valley. INDIA bloc to seek special session on Pahalgam attack The Opposition parties under the banner of INDIA bloc are gearing up to pen a joint appeal to the government demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent developments. Several Opposition leaders have individually made this demand, including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Former CJI Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag among those conferred with Padma awards Former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag, footballer I.M. Vijayan, music composer Ricky Kej and Vice Chancellor of prestigious King George's Medical University Soniya Nityanand were among 68 eminent personalities who were honoured with the prestigious Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). IMD retains 'above normal' rainfall outlook for monsoon The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has retained its April forecast for 'above normal' rainfall from June-September. It expects the country to see about 92 cm rainfall (106% of the long period average) during this southwest monsoon season, slightly higher than the 91.3 cm (105% of the average) rainfall that it had forecast in April. Supreme Court Collegium recommends transfer of 21 High Court judges The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, has recommended the transfer and repatriation of 21 High Court judges across the country. The proposed transfers span across the High Courts of Telangana, Karnataka, Madras, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Bombay, Delhi, Rajasthan, Calcutta, Allahabad, Punjab and Haryana, Gauhati, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Patna. CRPF official, held for spying, says he was trapped into it A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official who was arrested for alleged espionage activities by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this week had information and photographs on his phone that he allegedly shared with his Pakistani handlers, a senior government official said on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). Trump says Putin 'playing with fire' as sanctions pressure grows U.S. President Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) that he was 'playing with fire,' taking a fresh jab at his Russian counterpart as Washington weighs new sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war. Mr. Trump's latest broadside showed his frustration with stalled ceasefire talks and comes two days after he called the Kremlin leader 'absolutely CRAZY' following a major drone attack on Ukraine. All-party delegation led by MP Kanimozhi arrives in Greece An all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi arrived in Greece as part of India's diplomatic outreach to underscore its commitment to counter-terrorism. The delegation reached Athens from Slovenia, where it called on senior officials and emphasised India's 'new normal' of zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism. IPL 2025 LSG vs RCB: Jitesh's blinder eclipses Pant's ton as Royal Challengers seal spot in Qualifier 1 Captain Jitesh Sharma's unbeaten 85 (33b, 8x4, 6x6) hit Lucknow Super Giants like a thunderbolt as it succumbed to a six-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last league fixture of IPL 2025 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). Om Birla nominates Sambit Patra, two other Lok Sabha members to Press Council Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has nominated three members of the House, including BJP leader Sambit Patra, to the Press Council of India. Besides Mr. Patra, Shiv Sena member Naresh Mhaske and Congress member Kali Charan Munda have been nominated to the Press Council, a quasi-judicial body for the print media. Varanasi court rejects plea against Rahul over his remarks on Lord Ram in U.S. A court in Varanasi on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) rejected a criminal complaint filed against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged remark on Lord Ram during an interactive session held as part of his visit to the U.S. BSF foils Bangladeshi nationals' bid to enter India The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel manning an outpost in western Assam's South Salmara-Mankachar district foiled an attempt by a large group of Bangladeshi nationals to cross over to India on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) morning. The incident happened when the BSF personnel reportedly tried to deport 14 Bangladeshi people found staying in India illegally.
