Awards and Honors

The 76th Republic Day celebration in India was a grand affair held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2025. The event was graced by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the Chief Guest.

The parade featured more than 18 marching contingents and 31 tableaux from various states and services, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and developmental achievements. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India: Legacy and Progress).

Some highlights of the celebration included:

• Best Tableau Award: Uttar Pradesh’s tableau depicting the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj won the Best Tableau Award.
• Best Contingent Award: The 61st Cavalry, led by Lieutenant Ahan Kumar, received the Best Contingent Award.
• Best Para Military Contingent award: Border Security Force (BSF) Camel Contingent, led by Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh Kheechee
• Spectacular Displays: The parade included mind-blowing stunts by daredevils and spectacular aerial formations by the Indian Air Force.
• Cultural Performances: Over 5,000 artists performed, covering the entire Kartavya Path, showcasing India’s diverse cultural traditions.

The event concluded with the national anthem, leaving the audience in high spirits and a sense of national pride.

The Padma Awards 2025 list, announced by the central government and approved by President Droupadi Murmu, includes 139 awardees: 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. The list features one duo case, 23 women, 10 individuals from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 13 posthumous awards.

Notable awardees include Osamu Suzuki, former Suzuki Motors chief; ex-Maharashtra CM Manohar Joshi; BJP leader Sushil Modi; ex-CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar; Malayalam literary icon MT Vasudevan Nair; singers Arijit Singh and Pankaj Udhas; cricketer R. Ashwin; and hockey player PR Sreejesh.

Other honorees include Ram temple architect Chandrakant Sompura, Brazilian Hindu spiritual leader Jonas Masetti, Paralympian Harvinder Singh, and Kuwaiti yoga practitioner Shaikha A J Al Sabah. Several Padma Shri recipients include travel bloggers Hugh and Colleen Gantzer, gynecologist Dr. Neerja Bhatla, freedom fighter Libia Lobo Sardesai, and Dhak player Gokul Chandra Dey, who has broken gender barriers by training women in the traditionally male-dominated art.

The Padma Awards honor extraordinary contributions across diverse fields, such as art, literature, medicine, sports, science, public service, and social work, making them one of India’s highest civilian recognitions.

Full List of Padma Awardees are : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096285

The Indian short film Anuja has been nominated in the Best Short Film (Live Action) category for the 2025 Oscars. Directed by Adam J. Graves and Suchitra Mattai, and produced by Guneet Monga, Priyanka Chopra, and Mindy Kaling, the film tells the story of a nine-year-old girl and her sister facing a life-changing opportunity that tests their bond.

Other nominated films in the same category include A Lien, The Last Ranger, I’m Not a Robot, and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent. The 2025 Oscar nominations were announced by Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott, after being postponed twice due to wildfires in Los Angeles.

India has secured the 2nd spot in the QS World Future Skills Index released in January 2025, highlighting its excellence in digital skills and readiness for future job markets, particularly in AI, digital technology, and green industries. Key findings include:

Second Place Ranking: India is just behind the United States in digital skills, showcasing an impressive global standing.

Future of Work: India ranks high in this indicator, signaling its preparedness to meet the demands of future job markets.

Academic and Industry Readiness: The report identifies areas for improvement, such as enhancing industry-academia collaboration and better alignment of educational outcomes with industry needs.

Economic Transformation: India’s start-up culture and GDP growth contribute to its strong performance.

Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed, a renowned Indian physician in Saudi Arabia, has been awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025. This prestigious honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to healthcare, community welfare, and fostering India-Saudi Arabia relations.

With over 45 years of medical experience, Dr. Khursheed has been instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported Indian pilgrims during Hajj, and founded the International Indian School in Taif.

His dedication to the Indian diaspora and his efforts in education and community development have made a significant impact, earning him this highest recognition for overseas Indians.