Indian-American Recipients of Padma Awards

Padma awards aim to recognize the achievements of civilians in all fields of activities, across all disciplines where public service is involved.

FREMONT, CA: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Indian-American actress and doyen of Indian cuisine Madhur Jaffrey are among the few Indian-Americans who were recognized this year and awarded the prestigious Padma Awards by the Government of India on January 25th, on the eve of Republic Day.

Indian-American Recipients of Padma Awards

Madhur Jaffrey received the Padma Bhushan in the field of culinary arts, whereas Satya Nadella received Padma Bhushan in trade and industry. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in the field of trade and industry.

Other International Recipients of Padma Awards

Sanjaya Rajaram from Mexico was awarded the Posthumous Padma Bhushan for his achievements in science and engineering. Dr. Prokar Dasgupta from the United Kingdom was awarded Padma Shri in the field of Medicine and Rutger Kortenhorst from Ireland in Literature and Education. Maria Christopher Byrski of Poland was awarded the Padma Shri in literature and education, and Ryuko Hira of Japan in trade and industry. Chirapat Prapandavidya received the Padma Shri for his work in literature and education, as did Russian educator Tatiana Lvovna Sahumyan.

About Padma Awards

Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian awards given by the GOI, have three prime categories—Padma Shri for distinguished services, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of higher-order, and Padma Vibhushan for exception and distinguished service. Padma awards aim to recognize the achievements of civilians in all fields of activities, across all disciplines where public service is involved. The awards are conferred based on recommendations made by the Padma Award Committee, which is elected by the Prime Minister every year. The nomination process is accessible to the public, who can even self-nominate themselves.