The first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) late General Bipin Rawat, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran, former Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) Rajiv Mehrishi and former chairman of Gita Press late Radheshyam Khemka were among 54 prominent personalities who were conferred the Padma awards by President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday.
Gen. Rawat and Khemka, who headed the Gita Press that is well known for publishing Hindu religious literature, were given Padma Vibhushan, the second–highest civilian award, posthumously at a civil investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The award for Gen. Rawat was received by his daughters while a close family member received it for Khemka.
Mr. Azad, Mr. Chandrasekaran, Mr. Mehrishi, Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of Serum Institute of India (SII), maker of Covishield vaccine, para–athelete and javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia were among the eight people who were honoured with Padma Bhushan, the third–highest civilian award.
