Padma Awards 2020: George Fernandes, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday gave the Padma award for the year 2020 to the winners at a Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are also present at the award ceremony.

Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, has been awarded to veteran socialist leader and former Defence Minister George Fernandes, former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. All these awards are being conferred posthumously.

Padma Vibhushan has also been conferred to Mauritian politician Anerood Jugnauth who served both as President and Prime Minister of Mauritius. Classical singer Chhannulal Mishra, boxer Mary Kom, and late seer of Pejawar Mutt Vishwesha Tirtha Swami also received the honour.

For the year 2021, 119 Padma Awards were given, which includes seven Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 102 Padma Shri awards. (UNI)