Padma Bhushan to O Rajagopal and Justice Fathima Beevi; Padma Vibhushan to Venkaiah Naidu, Chiranjeevi and Padma Subrahmanyam

NEW DELHI: The central government on Thursday announced the prestigious Padma Awards on the eve of the 75th Republic Day celebrations. Former union minister and BJP leader O Rajagopal will be conferred with Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award. Justice Fathima Beevi, the first woman judge of the Supreme Court, will be awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously.

Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, actor Chiranjeevi, dancer Padma Subrahmanyam and actress Vyajayantimala Bali will be awarded Padma Vibhushan. Bindeshwar Pathak, a social activist from Bihar, will be awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Singer Usha Uthup, actor Mithun Chakraborty, late actor Vijayakanth and 17 others will be conferred with the Padma Bhushan.

110 people, including Malayalies such as Swami Muni Narayana Prasad, Kathakali guru Sadanam Balakrishnan, Theyyam artist EP Narayan, farmer Sathyan Baleri, Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi and Chitran Namboodirippad, will be awarded the Padma Shri.