Amongst the list of 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri awards, it is worth noting that seven awardees belong to Gujarat. Dignitaries belonging to disciplines varying from folk music to literature and education have been awarded with this prestige.
President Ramnath Kovind honoured the Padma awardees at the official ceremony of the Padma Awards
2021, held on November 8 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi.
The Padma Awards being one of the highest civilian honours of India are announced annually
on the eve of Republic Day and the award seeks to recognise achievements in various disciplines
where any element of public service is involved.
Here’s a list of the Gujarati dignitaries who received the awards:
Keshubhai Patel
Born and brought up in a Leuva Patidar family in Visavadar town of Junagadh district,
Keshubhai Patel is a self-made man who ran a mill in Hathikana area of Rajkot for a living.
Patel – the first BJP chief minister of Gujarat to nurture the party from its inception in Gujarat has been awarded with Padma Bhushan in the field of public affairs. Keshubhai known as Keshubapa, was the president of Bharatiya Jana Sangh launched in 1951 from 1972-75 and became the Chief Minister of first BJP government in Gujarat in 1995.
He died of Covid-19 in October 2020 after battling prostate cancer.
Maheshbhai Kanodia
Born on January 27, 1937 at Kanoda village, Kanodia worked in Gujarati cinema for four decades
as a musician, singer and a composer. He also represented the Patan constituency as a member of the BJP in Lok Sabha, 1991–1999, and 2004–2009.
Songs of Kanodia brothers – Mahesh-Naresh Kanodia, have been very popular in the Gujarati film industry. The duo has been awarded the Padma Shri.
Nareshbhai Kanodia
Along with brother Mahesh Kanodia, Naresh started to perform as a stage singer and dancer during the
1980s. Born on August 20, 1943 in Kanoda village, he made a debut with the film Veli Ne avya Phool.
He has acted in more than 100 Gujarati films then after.
Dadudan Gadhvi
Renowned Gujarati poet and folk singer, Dadudan Gadhvi, also known as Kavi Dad has been awarded
the Padma Shri for his contribution in literature and Education. He is a poet, singer and also an author of two books – Lachhanayan and Terava .
Moreover, his contribution in folk literature especially in the Gadhvi community of North Gujarat is remarkable.
Chandrakant Mehta
Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University and an eminent author of Gujarat Samachar –
Dr. Chandrakant Mehta has been awarded with Padma Shri Award for his immense contribution
in Education and Literature.
The Veteran Gujarati poet and writer has over 150 books to his credit.
- Sanchar-Madhyam Sanshodhan
- Dharmni Telepathy
- Jindagini Telescopy
- Pagale Pagale Pragate Kamal
- Haiye Haiye Halchal. Gujarati Edition | by Dr.
- SPANDANNA PRATIBIMB. Gujarati Edition | by DR.
- Patrakaratva – Siddhant Ane Adhyayan. Gujarati Edition | by Dr.
- Sanvedanana Shilalekh
Rajinikanth Shroff
The scientist turned entrepreneur Rajnikant Shroff, the founder of UPL Ltd. has been awarded with the Padma Bhushan for his contribution in the field of Trade and Industry.
Jaswantiben Popat
An Indian businesswoman and the woman behind the Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, Jaswantiben
Jamnadas (91) Popat has been awarded with the Padma Shri. There would not be a single Indian who has never tasted any of her product. She started with INR 80 in 1956 and today it has over 60 branchesall over the country.
Father Wallace
Born on November 4, 1925, Carlos G. Vallés was a Spanish-Indian Jesuit priest and author who extensively wrote in Gujarati and mathematics. He has been awarded with the Padma Shri for his contribution in the field of Literature and Education.
He has spent decades loving and writing about India and its people. His passing away in 2020 was mourned
by PM Modi.
