Padma Awards 2024: Shibu Soren, Vijay Amritraj Among 65 Honorees Announced by President Murmu
India’s President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Padma Awards on June 23, 2024, recognizing 65 individuals for their “exceptional and distinguished service” across fields including sports, arts, and public affairs. Among the honorees are former Union Minister Shibu Soren, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, and playback singer Alka Yagnik, according to an official announcement from the President’s Secretariat.
What Are the Padma Awards and Why Do They Matter?
Established in 1954, the Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors, awarded annually on Republic Day (January 26) and now additionally on the President’s birthday (June 23). The awards are divided into four categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service), Padma Shri (lifetime achievement), and the newly introduced Padma Shri for Children (under 18).
This year’s announcement marks the first time the awards have been presented on two separate occasions since 2021, when the format was temporarily adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The June 23 ceremony will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, with recipients receiving medals, certificates, and a citation from President Murmu.
Sports Honorees: Vijay Amritraj and the Legacy of Indian Tennis
Vijay Amritraj, the 1976 Wimbledon doubles champion and former Davis Cup captain, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian tennis. Amritraj, who turned 70 this year, is one of only two tennis players to receive the award in its 70-year history, joining the late Ramanathan Krishnan, who was honored in 1962.
“Vijay Amritraj’s impact on Indian tennis transcends his on-court achievements,” said Anil Khanna, former president of the All India Tennis Association. “He was instrumental in nurturing young talent and elevating the sport’s profile in India during the 1970s and 1980s.”
Amritraj’s inclusion reflects the Padma Awards’ growing recognition of sports figures who have shaped India’s athletic landscape beyond mere performance. Unlike Olympic medals or Grand Slam titles, the Padma Awards honor a lifetime of service, often including contributions to grassroots development, coaching, and promoting sports culture.
From Politics to Cinema: The Diversity of This Year’s Recipients
The 2024 Padma Awards highlight India’s multifaceted achievements across disciplines. Former Union Minister and AICC General Secretary Shibu Soren, a prominent leader from the tribal-dominated region of Jharkhand, has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his political career spanning over four decades. His inclusion underscores the awards’ role in recognizing statesmanship and public service.
In the arts, Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty receives the Padma Bhushan, joining a roster of film personalities that includes Amitabh Bachchan (Padma Shri, 2001), A.R. Rahman (Padma Bhushan, 2010), and Lata Mangeshkar (Bharat Ratna, 2001). Meanwhile, playback singer Alka Yagnik, known for her collaborations with composers like Naushad Ali and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, is honored with the Padma Shri for her six-decade career in Indian music.
This year’s list also includes:
- Sports: Hockey player Deep Grace Ekka (Padma Shri), who became the first Indian woman to score 1,000 international goals
- Science: Astrophysicist Sandip Trivedi (Padma Shri) for contributions to gravitational wave research
- Social Work: Activist Medha Patkar (Padma Vibhushan) for her environmental and human rights advocacy
- Literature: Writer Perumal Murugan (Padma Shri) for his Tamil novels exploring caste and culture
Full Breakdown: Padma Awards 2024 by Category
The 65 recipients are distributed as follows, according to the President’s Secretariat:
| Category | Number of Recipients | Notable Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | 7 | Shibu Soren, Medha Patkar, former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan |
| Padma Bhushan | 8 | Mammootty, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, scientist G. Padmanabhan |
| Padma Shri | 48 | Vijay Amritraj, Alka Yagnik, Deep Grace Ekka, Sandip Trivedi, Perumal Murugan |
| Padma Shri for Children | 2 | Young chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa (16), environmental activist Ridhima Pandey (13) |
Note: The Padma Shri for Children category was introduced in 2023, making this the second year for awards in this bracket. Recipients must be under 18 and have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their field.
How the Padma Awards Compare to Other International Honors
The Padma Awards stand alongside global honors like the United States’ Presidential Medal of Freedom or France’s Legion of Honour, but with distinct Indian cultural and historical roots. While Western awards often emphasize political or military service, the Padma Awards frequently recognize contributions to arts, literature, and social causes that may not receive equivalent recognition elsewhere.
“The Padma Awards are unique in their breadth,” said historian Ramachandra Guha in a 2022 interview with The Hindu. “They celebrate not just individual achievement but the collective spirit of India’s diverse traditions. Unlike the Nobel Prize, which focuses on scientific or literary excellence, the Padmas honor everything from a village teacher to a Bollywood star.”
This year’s inclusion of figures like Vijay Amritraj and Deep Grace Ekka reflects a growing trend of recognizing sports achievements that might otherwise go unnoticed in global awards ceremonies. For comparison:
- Nobel Prize: Only 3 Indians have won the Nobel Prize in the past decade (2014–2024), all in science or economics
- Olympic Order: Awarded to athletes with lifetime achievements, but limited to Olympic sports
- Padma Awards: 1,300+ recipients since 1954 across all fields, with 65% in arts, literature, or social work
June 23 Ceremony: What to Expect
The Padma Awards ceremony on June 23, 2024, will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, beginning at 10:00 AM IST (04:30 UTC). Unlike the Republic Day ceremony, which is a large public event, this gathering will be more intimate, attended by recipients, their families, and dignitaries.
Key details:
- Venue: Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
- Attire: Recipients traditionally wear formal Indian attire (e.g., sherwani for men, saree/salwar kameez for women)
- Protocol: President Murmu will present medals in order of seniority (Padma Vibhushan first), followed by a group photograph
- Media Access: Accredited journalists may cover the event; live streaming details are pending confirmation
For those unable to attend, the President’s Secretariat will release a list of recipients and their citations on presidentofindia.nic.in following the ceremony.
Why Vijay Amritraj’s Padma Shri Matters for Indian Sports
Vijay Amritraj’s award arrives at a pivotal moment for Indian tennis, as the sport undergoes a renaissance with young players like Sumit Nagal (ATP #105) and Ankita Raina (WTA #150) gaining international recognition. Amritraj’s career spanned the 1970s and 1980s, when Indian tennis was dominated by Krishnan and Jaidip Mukerjea.
“Amritraj’s double at Wimbledon in 1976 with Australian partner John Newcombe was a landmark for Indian tennis,” said sports historian Boria Majumdar. “But his real legacy was in developing homegrown talent. He founded the Vijay Amritraj Tennis Academy in Chennai in 2003, which has produced players like Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan.”
The award also highlights a broader trend: while cricket dominates Indian sports discourse, tennis has quietly built a foundation for future generations. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) reports a 40% increase in registered players under 18 since 2020, with Amritraj’s academy contributing 15% of that growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Padma Awards
1. Can foreign nationals receive Padma Awards?
Yes, but only if they have made exceptional contributions to India or Indian society. Notable examples include former US President Bill Clinton (Padma Vibhushan, 2014) and Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram (Padma Shri, 2004).
2. How are Padma Award recipients selected?
Nominations are invited from the public, but the final selection is made by a committee appointed by the Prime Minister in consultation with the President. The process is confidential, and no public list of nominations is released.
3. What is the monetary benefit of receiving a Padma Award?
There is no cash prize associated with the Padma Awards. Recipients receive a medal, a certificate, and a citation. However, the honor carries significant prestige and often leads to increased opportunities in professional and public life.
4. How many women have received Padma Awards?
As of 2024, women account for approximately 18% of all Padma Award recipients since 1954. This year’s list includes 12 women, including Alka Yagnik, Medha Patkar, and Deep Grace Ekka.
How You Can Follow the Story
To stay updated on the Padma Awards and their recipients:
- Follow @RashtrapatiBhvn for official announcements
- Visit presidentofindia.nic.in for the full list and citations
- Watch for interviews with recipients in Indian media outlets like The Hindu or NDTV
Have you been following the Padma Awards? Share your thoughts on this year’s honorees in the comments below.
