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The group of Padma Awards that includes Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri is known as the highest awards given by the Republic of India. They were all instituted together in the year 1954 and they are announced year on year on the Republic Day. The objective of these awards is to recognize, highlight and appreciate the ‘work of distinction’. They are given to persons or organizations that make some exceptional contribution or service in any field or discipline including Art, Medicine, Literature, Civil Service, Sports, Education, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science and Engineering, Trade and Industry etc. Participation in this venture Nominations are invited from the departments and ministries of the central government, state and the Union territory governments, awardees of the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awards, Institutes of Excellence and also from many other agencies, bodies, enterprises and organizations, so that the sample available for the consideration is as wide as possible. The MHA communication requests these organizations, bodies and individuals to spare the necessary effort to identify the exceptional persons or organizations who deserve to be recognized for their contribution. These persons and bodies can make suitable nominations for the deserving individuals they find out. Nominations and recommendations Both the nominations and recommendations for the group of Padma awards have to be done only online on the Padma portal <a href="http://www.padmaawards.gov.in">www.padmaawards.gov.in</a>. Any citizen of India can make the nomination or recommendation. Self-nominations are also allowed. The nomination or recommendation must contain the complete details asked in the format provided in this portal for this purpose. A citation is also called for including a narration that can run to about 800 words which will clearly bring out the exceptional or distinguished achievement or service of the person or organization nominated or recommended or self-nominated for the Padma award in their respective field or discipline. All the necessary details asked must be carefully filled in for the nomination to be considered. About Padma Awards Any person or organization can apply for the Padma awards without any distinction to caste, race, occupation, gender or position. Padma Vibhushan seeks to recognize the exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan identifies the distinguished service of higher order and Padma Shri appreciates the distinguished service in any discipline or field. The MHA communication requests that every effort must be spared to find the suitable persons for the Padma awards from among women, weaker sections of the society, Divyang persons, SCs and STs who really deserve to be given this award. No Government servant who is working in the PSUs is eligible for these awards excepting doctors and scientists. Rules governing the Padma Awards The Padma awards are not given posthumously excepting in some highly deserving cases. Padma Award can be conferred on a person only if five years have elapsed after the conferment of the earlier Padma award except in some deserving cases. The President of India presents these awards consisting of a Sanad (Certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India. The recipients will also get a replica of the medallion which they can wear during any ceremonies or events. The Padma award is not a title and it must never be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name. The total number of awards given in a year will not exceed 120.

Who can apply for Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Awards and the rules governing these Awards

Women dominated this year's <keyword id="6391019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-awards">Padma awards</keyword> for sports with tennis star Sania Mirza and ace shuttler <keyword id="30618" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Saina-Nehwal">Saina Nehwal</keyword> getting the nod for the Padma Bhushan, while archer <keyword id="86231" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Deepika-Kumari">Deepika Kumari</keyword> was chosen for the Padma Shri here today. 

	All three were in sublime touch last year and brought the country laurels in their respective sports. 
 Sania enjoyed the most sensational run, clinching nine titles -- including two Grand Slams last year with Swiss great Martina Hingis. The exceptional performance propelled her to the top of the <keyword id="935171" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="WTA-doubles-rankings">WTA doubles rankings</keyword>. 

	The 29-year-old is currently competing in the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she has reached the women's doubles quarterfinals with Hingis. 
 Saina has also been in spectacular touch, winning silver medals at the All England and World Badminton Championship last year besides clinching the India Open Super Series and <keyword id="2039194" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Syed-Modi-Grand-Prix-Gold">Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold</keyword>. 

	Deepika, on the other hand, won a silver at the Archery World Cup Final besides bronze medals at the World Cup Stage II and the Asian Team Championships. 
 

	Saina, who is in the country to compete in this week's Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold Tournament, said the honour has left her surprised. Interestingly, the 25-year-old had expressed her displeasure at being ignored for the award last year. 
 
 

	"It is a great honour and I want to thank the Ministry for giving me the award. I am very happy with the way the last year has gone, I have been performing well. I reached World No.1 last year and now I am World No.2. I am sure this award will give me more motivation to do well further this year," Saina said. 
 

	"It came as a complete surprise to me. I had no clue. I did not expect at all. There was no news of it at all. When I think that I am just 25 and I have received this award, it makes me feel great. But it is still a long way to go." 
 

	Saina was left disappointed after the Sports Ministry decided to reject her application for the award in January last year, citing norms. 
 

	The ministry had picked two-time Olympic-medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar for the honour last year. 
 

	Saina was bestowed the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri in 2010 and also received the Arjuna Award in 2009. 
 

	The 21-year-old Deepika, meanwhile, had also won the team silver along with Laxmirani Majhi and Rimil Buriuly in the World Championships. 
	 
	
		Superstar Rajinikanth, founder of the Reliance empire late Dhirubhai Ambani, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and media baron Ramoji Rao have been chosen for Padma Vibhushan, country's second highest civilian award, this year. 
	 
	
		Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan, former DRDO chief V K Aatre, cancer specialist and chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute Dr V Shanta and eminent Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Krishnamurthi and classical vocalist Girija Devi and Indian-American economist Avinash Dixit have also been named for Padma Vibhushan on the occasion of this year's Republic Day celebrations. 
	 
	
		Noted actor Anupam Kher, singer Udit Narayan, former CAG Vinod Rai, chairperson of media group Bennett, Coleman &amp; Co. Indu Jain, sports star Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal, spiritual leaders late Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Tejomayananda and former US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill are among the 19 eminent people chosen for Padma Bhushan. 
	 
	
		Industrialist Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Maruti Suzuki chairman R C Bhargava and eminent architect Hafeez Contractor also figure in the list of Padma Bhushan awardees. 
	 
	
		Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who was the prosecution counsel in the Mumbai terror attack case, actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra get Padma Shri.
	
		 
		Renowned sculptor Ram V Sutar, Manipuri theatre personality Heisnam Kanhailal, Hindi and Telugu writer Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, Sanskrit scholar N S Ramanuja Tatacharya, Punjabi journalist Barjinder Singh Hamdard, gastroenterologist D Nageshwar Reddy and scientist A V Rama Rao have been chosen for Padma Bhushan. 
	 
	
		Actor the late Saeed Jaffrey, CEO of MasterCard Ajaypal Singh Banga, archer Deepika Kumari, Bharatanatyam dancer Prathibha Prahlad, Gujarati folk musician Bhikhudan Gadhvi, Goa's musician Tulsidas Borkar and scientist Onkar Nath Srivastava were among those who were named for Padma Shri awards.

Padma Bhushan for Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal

<ul><li>All the nine athletes recommended for <keyword id="15575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-Vibhushan">Padma Vibhushan</keyword>, <keyword id="100507" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-Bhushan">Padma Bhushan</keyword> and <keyword id="25105" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-Shri">Padma Shri</keyword> are women, reported the Times of India. </li><li>Boxing champion, <keyword id="56244" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="MC-Mary-Kom">MC Mary Kom</keyword> is nominated for Padma Vibhushan. </li><li>P V Sindhu, the first Indian to win gold at BWF World Championships is nominated for Padma Bhushan. </li></ul>The sports ministry has recommended nine people for Padma awards--India’s highest civilian honour — and all of them are women,<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sports-ministry-sends-9-names-for-padmas-all-women/articleshow/71088910.cms"> reported the Times of India.</a> Boxing champion, MC Mary Kom is nominated for Padma Vibhushan. The government had earlier awarded her with Padma Shri 2006 and Padma Bhushan in 2013. Further, P V Sindhu, the first Indian to win gold at BWF World Championships is nominated for Padma Bhushan. She earlier got a Padma Shri in 2015. The other seven athletes in the list are: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, table tennis star Manika Batra, T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, hockey captain Rani Rampal, former shooter Suma Shirur and mountaineer twin sisters, Tashi and Nungshi Malik, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sports-ministry-sends-9-names-for-padmas-all-women/articleshow/71088910.cms">said the report.</a> The Indian government awarded three sportspeople with Padma Vibhushan -- Chess champion Viswanathan Anand in 2007, Sachin Tendulkar in 2008 and Sir Edmund Hillary in 2008. Sports Ministry has sent the list to Home Ministry. The government will announce the award on the upcoming Republic Day. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/a-look-back-at-pv-sindhu-journey-to-be-indias-first-badminton-world-champion/articleshow/70841055.cms">A look back at PV Sindhu journey to be India's first badminton world champion</a>

An all-women list for the highest civilian honours from India's Sports Ministry

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6524" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Padma-Lakshmi">Padma Lakshmi</keyword>, who hosts Bravo's cooking competition reality show "Top Chef," is the latest <keyword id="6355064" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Celebrity">celebrity</keyword> to show her mixology skills in a video.</li><li>Lakshmi posted a margarita tutorial on Instagram and Twitter on Friday, and after trying her drink, she said: "I think it needs a little more tequila, though."</li><li>She then started drinking straight from the liquor bottle, alluding to the caption of her video: "When you hear kids won't be going back to school until September."</li><li>Lakshmi added that her video was for "entertainment purposes only" and advised viewers against trying what she did at home.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>After learning that many kids in the US won't be returning to school until the fall due to continued social distancing measures, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-padma-lakshmi-is-stocking-up-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak-2020-3">"Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi</a> captured her reaction in the form of a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/easy-cocktails-to-make-at-home-recommended-by-experts-2020-4">cocktail tutorial</a>."Just found out little hands won't be going back to school until September," wrote the cookbook author, who <a href="https://www.today.com/parents/top-chef-host-padma-lakshmi-celebrates-daughter-s-10th-birthday-t174372">has a 10-year-old daughter</a>, in an Instagram video on Friday.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_qdEwHh7sD/?igshid=98ua1eqqp0gs">Lakshmi started the tutorial</a> by introducing her drink of choice."We've been making a lot of cooking videos, but it's day 175 of quarantine, so I thought we could all use a drink. So we're going to make a little margarita, or my version of a margarita," Lakshmi said.She combined Persian cucumber, Indian chili peppers, and mint leaves in a mortar and pestle, then combined the mixture with lime juice, sparkling water, agave, and tequila in her cocktail shaker. "Now, you don't want to get too drunk, so drink responsibly," Lakshmi said as she poured the margarita into her glass.She tasted her margarita, then added: "I think it needs a little more tequila, though."Lakshmi poured more liquor into the beverage, then began to drink straight from the tequila bottle.The cookbook author and TV personality also posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/PadmaLakshmi/status/1256369373863960580">shorter version of her tutorial on Twitter</a>, capturing the moment where she appeared to drink from the liquor bottle."When you hear kids won't be going back to school until September," Lakshmi captioned the video.Following her tutorial, Lakshmi shared a disclaimer to viewers, advising them that the end of her tutorial was not to be followed."Please do not try this at home," she wrote. "For entertainment purposes only."Many viewers of Lakshmi's margarita tutorial seemed to appreciate her humor."As a teacher, I approve," one user wrote on Instagram."Padma!! Desperate times call for desperate measures. Cheers," another user commented on the host's video.<h2>Similar to Lakshmi, other celebrities have shared their mixology skills on social media to lift spirits during the pandemic </h2>For instance, in April, "Barefoot Contessa" host <a href="https://www.insider.com/ina-garten-makes-huge-batch-cosmos-in-the-morning-2020-4">Ina Garten was lovingly turned into a meme after she made an oversized cosmopolitan at 9 a.m.</a>, to which she said, "It's always cocktail hour in a crisis."Later in April, <a href="https://www.insider.com/stanley-tucci-negroni-cocktail-video-instagram-tutorial-2020-4">Stanley Tucci also showed off his bartending expertise</a> when he made a Negroni for his wife Felicity Blunt, and viewers couldn't stop talking about the actor's sophisticated tutorial.Tucci later <a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-stanley-tucci-james-corden-how-to-make-martini-video-2020-4">taught James Corden how to make a martini</a> and made a "quarantini" for a <a href="https://www.insider.com/john-krasinski-stanley-tucci-quarantini-celebrity-chefs-virtual-dinner-party-2020-4">virtual dinner party hosted by John Krasinski</a> (who happens to be his brother-in-law).<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/easy-cocktails-to-make-at-home-recommended-by-experts-2020-4">16 easy cocktails to try during quarantine, according to influencers, bartenders, and people who can send alcohol straight to your door</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/celebrities-favorite-cocktails-2018-9">What 10 of your favorite celebrities order at the bar</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/michelin-guide-shares-recipes-from-world-famous-chefs">Michelin-starred chefs are sharing their favorite homemade recipes, and they're easier than you might think</a></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/padma-laskhmi-margarita-cocktail-video-tequila-drinking-2020-5">Insider</a>

'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi shared a margarita tutorial and drank from the tequila bottle in reaction to elementary schools being closed until fall

<ul><li>Microsoft CEO and chairman <keyword id="276564" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="satya-nadella" source="Orion">Satya Nadella</keyword> received the <keyword id="6367604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="padma" source="Orion">Padma</keyword> Bhushan award from the Indian Consul General in San Francisco.</li><li><keyword id="2045946" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="nadella" source="Orion">Nadella</keyword> was born in a family of professionals and now heads one of the few trillion-dollar companies of the world. </li><li>Nadella has been with Microsoft for nearly two-thirds of the company’s existence.</li></ul>Satya Nadella has an unassuming demeanor for a CEO of one of the few <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/heres-what-it-takes-to-make-a-trillion-dollar-company/articleshow/94940917.cms">trillion-dollar companies in the world</a>. Now, this Hyderabad-born IAS officer’s son has received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award from India’s Consul General in San Francisco, Dr T V Nagendra Prasad. Nadella is the only third CEO of Microsoft after the company’s founder Bill Gates, and Steve Ballmer. He is credited with revolutionizing Microsoft’s cloud business, from lagging behind Amazon to bagging multi-billion dollar US Defense Department’s contracts. Nadella was appointed Microsoft’s CEO – the third in the company’s 47-year-old history – in 2014. Earlier in 2021, he was also appointed as the company’s chairman, making him responsible for setting the tone for Microsoft’s future. Nadella was awarded the Padma Bhushan along with other IT veterans – Tata Sons’ CEO Natarajan Chandrasekaran, and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. Nadella says he will visit India in January next year, according to a PTI report. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Born in a family of professionals" comment="subhead" text="Born in a family of professionals">Born in a family of professionals</cmsannotation> Born in Hyderabad in 1967, Satya Narayana Nadella came from a family of professionals. His father, Bukkapuram Nadella Yugandhar, was an IAS officer while his mother, Prabhavati, was a Sanskrit lecturer. Nadella started his journey in one of Hyderabad’s illustrious schools, the Hyderabad Public School. Like many students, Nadella opted for engineering – he got his electrical engineering degree from Mangalore University in 1988. He went on to do his master’s in computer science from the University of Wisconsin in 1990. Nadella married Anupama Nadella in 1992, and has three children. Nadella’s journey sounds like a typical South Indian’s – an engineering degree and work for a tech company. Soon after finishing his master’s in the US in 1990, Nadella worked for Sun Microsystems for two years before landing a job at Microsoft in 1992. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Nadella’s Microsoft journey – from a developer to the chairman" comment="subhead" text="Nadella’s Microsoft journey – from a developer to the chairman">Nadella’s Microsoft journey – from a developer to the chairman</cmsannotation> Nadella’s rise to the top echelons of Microsoft started with him being scooped up by the Windows-maker from Sun Microsystems in 1992. Nadella joined the company as a Windows NT developer and from thereon, he rose in the ranks of Microsoft's divisions catering to businesses. In 2007, Nadella was appointed as the vice president of Microsoft’s research and development department. He was elevated as the president of the company’s server business in 2011, which accounted for $19 billion of the company’s revenue. In 2014, after being appointed as the CEO, one of his first moves was to acquire Nokia’s phone business for $7.2 billion – a move that would eventually falter. Under Nadella’s watch, Microsoft’s market capitalisation has surged over 5x – from $310 billion in 2014 to $1.76 trillion now. Nadella has remained with the Windows-maker for three decades now – or nearly two-thirds of the company’s history. The networth of Nadella is at ₹6,200 crore, according to IIFL Hurun India Rich List 2022. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Beyond Microsoft" comment="subhead" text="Beyond Microsoft">Beyond Microsoft</cmsannotation> Nadella’s life beyond Microsoft includes being a board trustee of University of Chicago and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He is also on the board of Starbucks. Before being awarded the Padma Bhushan, Nadella was named on the Time 100 list in 2018, and businessperson of the year by Financial Times and Fortune magazine in 2019. Nadella also authored Hit Refresh, a book on his life and his leadership learnings at Microsoft, with Greg Shaw and Jill Tracie Nichols. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Other business leaders who’ve been honoured with Padma awards" comment="subhead" text="Other business leaders who’ve been honoured with Padma awards">Other business leaders who’ve been honoured with Padma awards</cmsannotation> The Indian government has awarded several business leaders with Padma awards. The list includes big names like Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, M&amp;M’s Anand Mahindra, TVS’ Venu Srinivasan, and Krishna Ella and Suchitra Ella, among others. Another notable person on the list is Ryuko Hira, a Japanese businessman who is known for playing a crucial role in bringing Japanese investments to India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/indian-students-going-abroad-to-face-a-triple-whammy-of-inflation-forex-and-interest-rates/articleshow/94974003.cms">Indian students going abroad to face a triple whammy of inflation, forex and interest rates</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-transmission-bags-project-from-best-to-install-over-1-million-smart-meters-in-mumbai/articleshow/94982223.cms">Adani Transmission bags project from BEST to install over 1 million smart meters in Mumbai</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-hits-record-low-of-83-06-against-us-dollar/articleshow/94978753.cms">Rupee hits record low of 83.06 against US dollar</a>

Satya Nadella hits refresh – from Hyderabad to Microsoft CEO to Padma awardee

Actor <keyword id="6384030" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="raveena-tandon" source="Orion">Raveena Tandon</keyword> says she is elated that through <keyword id="25105" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="padma-shri" source="Orion">Padma Shri</keyword>, the fourth highest civilian award in the country, her work in both mainstream and independent cinema has been recognized. The actor, whose name was announced among the Padma awardees on the eve of the Republic Day, said 2023 has begun on a good note. "It has been a year of awards for 'KGF 2' and 'Aranyak'. But this (Padma Shri) was the best of all because this encapsulated my entire body of work. It encapsulates everything, the commercial successes, the songs that are so eternal that people remember," <keyword id="6544" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="raveena" source="Orion">Raveena</keyword> told PTI. The actor, who ruled the 90s cinema with hits such as "Mohra", "Dilwale" and "Dulhe Raja" while also making a mark in off-beat movies such as "Daman", "Satta" and "Shool", made her successful streaming debut with Netflix series "Aranyak" in 2021. She also played an important role in "KGF: Chapter 2". "It feels good that there are people watching and appreciating you. I thank everyone who has been with me on this journey and supported me throughout," the actor she said. The popularity of mainstream entertainers usually dominate an actor's filmography, but Raveena feels "lucky" that her performance-oriented roles in "Satta", "Shool" and "Daman", for which she won the National award best actress, did not go unnoticed. "Huge commercial successes sometimes overshadow the body of work that you have done in realistic cinema because of the hit songs and films that people remember. I am so happy that an award like Padma Shri gives credit to the fact that I have done films like 'Satta', 'Daman', 'Matr' and 'Shool'." The actor said it was a struggle to fight stereotypes back and recalled how she had to convince <keyword id="6355246" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ram-gopal-varma" source="Orion">Ram Gopal Varma</keyword> to cast her in 1999 film "Shool". Raveena, who eventually played a Bihari housewife to Manoj Bajpayee's character in the film, recalls <keyword id="8478" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="varma" source="Orion">Varma</keyword> saying, "when I close my eyes, I can see you doing 'Aankhiyon Se Goli Maare''. "In the 90s, it was easy to get stereotyped. It was a conscious decision to start challenging myself as an actor. I was getting stuck in that stereotype, I had to break away from it. It was a conscious decision to stop signing glamorous roles." Workwise, 2023 has many interesting projects in the pipeline for the actor. She will be seen in Arbaaz Khan-backed social drama "Patna Shukla", a romantic-comedy "Gudchadhi" with Sanjay Dutt and a show with Disney+ Hotstar. "'Gudchadhi' is a sweet romantic-comedy, 'Patna Shuka', which is topical and relevant to the problems that we face in our society. Then I have a show that I am doing for Hotstar, which is a thriller, on 'Aranyak', I think the writing work is going on and soon we will be looking forward to KGF 3," Raveena said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/the-union-budget-is-round-the-corner-but-is-your-budget-sorted/articleshow/97370691.cms">The Union Budget is round the corner, but is your budget sorted?</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/have-you-ever-observed-your-mothers-time-management-skills-modi-on-pariksha-pe-charcha/articleshow/97370498.cms">Have you ever observed your mother's time management skills?: Modi on Pariksha Pe Charcha</a>

'Padma Shri' honour encapsulates my entire body of work: Raveena Tandon

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Padma Lakshmi, the host of Bravo's Emmy-winning "Top Chef," won't be returning, she announced.</li><li>She joined in season two and recently wrapped up the show's World All-Star 20th season. </li></ul>Hold onto your remote controls "Top Chef" fans — <a href="https://www.emmys.com/bios/padma-lakshmi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emmy-winner Padma Lakshmi</a> announced she's stepping down as the host of Bravo's beloved series, a program she has hosted for 19 of its 20 seasons. "After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave 'Top Chef,'" <a href="https://twitter.com/PadmaLakshmi/status/1664664066361532418" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the actress, activist, and cookbook author wrote on social media</a>. "Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am extremely proud to have been part of building such a successful show and of the impact it has had in the worlds of television and food.""I am deeply thankful to all of you for so many years of love and support," she added."Padma Lakshmi leaves behind an incredible legacy on Bravo's 'Top Chef.' Her impact on the Emmy, James Beard and Critics' Choice Award-winning series is undeniable," an NBCUniversal spokesperson told Insider. "We are grateful to Padma for being a consummate host, judge, and executive producer, and for bringing her ingenuity and exceptional palate to each episode where she ate every bite of food on the series for over 17 years and 19 seasons. She will always be part of the 'Top Chef' and the NBCUniversal family and has a seat at the judges' table anytime." Lakshmi began hosting the Bravo during its sophomore season in 2006 after taking over hosting duties from cookbook author and then-wife of Billy Joel, Katie Lee. Over the years, she's told countless contestants — some beloved by fans, some reviled as villains — to "pack their knives and go" when they came up short in an elimination challenge. She also participated in crowning one of the <a href="https://www.avclub.com/how-top-chef-s-finale-tarnished-its-brand-1798266135" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most controversial "Top Chef" winners of all time</a>, Nicholas Elmi, over Nina Compton, in season 11.<div type="image" title="top chef judges" height="1314" width="1753" msid="100712501" hostid="261" sizebytes="103838"></div>Lakshmi became virtually synonymous with the series, serving as not only the host but a savvy food judge of her own accord who said <a href="https://www.insider.com/padma-lakshmi-calories-top-chef-2023-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she ingested up to 9,000 calories a day</a> while the show was filming. A cook and foodie, Padma could be a harsh critic, especially when it came to Indian cuisine on the show (chefs would often bemoan that they had to cook Indian dishes for Lakshmi, who did not pull punches if the flavor was off).In 2020, Lakshmi launched her own show, "Taste the Nation," on Hulu — where she takes viewers across America, sampling its diverse food cultures. She's also <a href="https://www.padmalakshmi.com/books" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published several cookbooks,</a> and in 2023, she appeared in <a href="https://www.si.com/media/2023/05/01/padma-lakshmi-makes-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-debut" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue at the age of 52</a>. <div type="image" title="Padma Taste the Nation Dominic Valente:Hulu " height="1467" width="1956" msid="100712502" hostid="261" sizebytes="152680"></div>It's not yet clear who will be replacing the "Top Chef" star or if any of her fellow judges — including Gail Simmons or celebrity chef Tom Colicchio — will be returning. A representative for NBCUniversal did not comment when asked.The 20th season of the show, "Top Chef: World All-Stars," is currently airing on Bravo, where the finalists are down to Buddha Lo (Top Chef US season 19 winner), Gabriel Rodriquez (Top Chef Mexico season two winner), and Sara Bradley (Top Chef US season 16 runner-up).

'Top Chef' superstar Padma Lakshmi announces she's leaving the show after 19 seasons

New Delhi, Jan 25 () As the Centre announced that late Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, George Fernandes and Arun Jaitley have been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, Oil and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the honour is a true reflection of their unparalleled contribution in Indian polity.
"Thank Honourable Rashtrapati and Honourable Prime Minister Shri Shri Narendra Modi for the posthumous conferment of Padma Vibhushan to stalwart leaders Shri George Fernandes, Shri Arun Jaitley &amp; Smt. Sushma Swaraj. The Padma Award is a true reflection of their unparalleled contribution in Indian polity," Pradhan said on Twitter.  DSP  DPB

Padma to Swaraj, Jaitley, Fernandes true reflection of their contribution to Indian polity: Pradhan

<ul class="summary-list"><li>As an Indian woman and a twin, I expected more from <a href="https://www.insider.com/harry-potter-diversity-problem-with-indian-representation-of-patils-2021-9">Padma and Parvati Patil in "Harry Potter."</a></li><li>I ended up relating more to Hermione, the white female lead, than the actual Indian characters.</li></ul>Like many middle-class Indian kids, I was used to neatly reimagining my life into Western stories.My reading habit developed on the backs of white, mainly British authors - from Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie to Charles Dickens and Jane Austen - so the series of my generation, "<a href="https://www.insider.com/harry-potter-little-known-facts-2019-1">Harry Potter</a>," was a natural progression.I thought I was finally going to get the Indian representation I longed for, because "<keyword id="12067470" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="harry-potter" source="Orion">Harry Potter</keyword>" had an element my wildly Anglophone reading diet lacked: Padma and Parvati Patil, Indian, brown-skinned, identical twins, just like my twin sister and me.I was willing to take this <a href="https://www.insider.com/harry-potter-lack-of-disability-and-illness-representation-opinion-2021-11">smidgen of representation</a> - but I never found a way to read myself into the underdeveloped characters.<h2>The Patil twins were part of a cultural touchstone but weren't sketched well enough to offer real representation</h2>On paper, the Patil twins seemed like they were in for an interesting time at <a href="https://www.insider.com/harry-potter-unique-things-about-hogwarts-trivia">Hogwarts</a>.Parvati was sorted into Gryffindor with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/harry-potter-interesting-things-to-know-about-hermione-granger">Hermione Granger</a>. Padma became a Ravenclaw prefect. In "Goblet of Fire," Harry and Ron took the sisters to the Yule Ball, where Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas dubbed them the "prettiest girls in our year." They were part of Dumbledore's Army, and they went on to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts.Unlike even lazier attempts at Anglicized representation, their names were also actually Indian. Padma is the shortened name my mother goes by, and their surname, Patil, is hugely common in Maharashtra, the state where I grew up.But even with a broad canvas to deepen two of the Potterverse's most visible characters of color, the <a href="https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-transgender-comments-show-reality-wizarding-world-harry-potter-2020-6">series' controversial author, J.K. Rowling</a>, just ... didn't.Representation has never been about the existence of a brown face in a crowd or a hard-to-pronounce name on a roster. It's about reflecting reality and appreciating the tangible presence of identities often sidelined in white narratives.Parvati's arc in Gryffindor could've been sketched lovingly, like Neville's or Luna's, but instead she was made the archetypal giggling "silly girl" foil for Hermione.One of the few things we know about Parvati was that she was fascinated with Divination, which is painted as superstitious, mystical mumbo jumbo. To me, this brought to mind Orientalist descriptions of <keyword id="11892747" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> as the realm of unscientific hocus-pocus (and snake charmers) that still rankle our collective Indian soul.Worse off, Padma essentially disappeared from the narrative.<div type="image" title="parvati and padma patil at the yule ball harry potter and the goblet of fire" height="1191" width="1589" msid="87609965" hostid="261"></div>The one moment of poetic justice that Rowling offered the twins in the books was at the Yule Ball, where Parvati "looked very pretty indeed, in robes of shocking pink, with her long dark plait braided with gold, and gold bracelets glimmering at her wrists." Padma "was looking just as pretty as Parvati in robes of bright turquoise."But <a href="https://www.insider.com/big-differences-between-harry-potter-books-and-movies">the movies undid</a> the little that Rowling did.The <a href="https://www.insider.com/harry-potter-diversity-problem-with-indian-representation-of-patils-2021-9">twins' Yule Ball costumes</a> spawned <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/regajha/harry-potter-and-the-prisoners-of-bad-fashion">articles</a> and rants on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/harrypotter/comments/76bgeg/horrible_yule_ball_attire_of_patil_sisters/">Reddit</a> and <a href="https://harrypottermovieproblems.tumblr.com/post/156148006938/cho-chang-and-the-patil-twins-in-ethnic-attire-at">Tumblr</a> because no self-respecting Indian would wear those garish orange-and-pink lehengas to the biggest event of the year.<h2>I was so disappointed in the Patils' portrayal that I looked to Hermione for self-representation</h2>I have to wonder if Rowling examined the British Asian experience at all when she was writing the books. After all, the Indian community is a vibrant part of the UK, making up <a href="https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/summaries/indian-ethnic-group">2.5%</a> of the population in 2011.It would've taken more than a plate of chicken tikka showing up in the Great Hall to paint meaningful representation. But peddling stereotypes and questionable sartorial choices is evidently easier than creating fully sketched characters.I never expected book characters to look like me, because that wasn't my experience growing up. So I was already used to choosing my heroines out of a cast of white characters based on qualities alone.Jo March and Maggie Tulliver became kindred spirits of my youth. And when it came time to read myself into "<a href="https://www.insider.com/harry-potter-makes-feminine-characters-evil-opinion-2021-10">Harry Potter</a>," Hermione outshone Padma and Parvati.<div type="image" title="hermione granger at the yule ball in harry potter and the goblet of fire" height="1126" width="1501" msid="87609966" hostid="261"></div>Hermione was a brave, whip-smart witch painted in bold strokes: an adventurer, a book-loving nerd, a fiercely loyal friend. Most importantly, she's the reason Harry made it through seven books alive.It was a pity, though, that I related more to Hermione than to Indian twins - a Gryffindor and a Ravenclaw, just like me and my own sister.If I wasn't the target demographic for these characters, who was?<h2>Beyond 'Harry Potter,' there's a gap in nuanced portrayals of South Asians in Western media</h2>British literature never quite captured the complex life and identity of a non-Western kid for me.Half-baked South Asian representation from white creators has largely led to cultural stereotypes in place of real narratives - evidenced by Apu's thick Indian accent on "The Simpsons" and Raj's social ineptitude on "<a href="https://www.insider.com/big-bang-theory-most-memorable-moments-2019-5">The Big Bang Theory</a>."But English's colonial legacy as the lingua franca means those character tropes get read or seen more widely than our own versions.Parvati and Padma were likely never meant to be more than harmless background characters, but their mere existence in the Potterverse made them powerful.For once, it would've been nice to see a white author allow them to wield that power in a meaningful, awe-inspiring way.

J.K. Rowling's attempt at Indian representation was so bad that I related more to the white female lead in 'Harry Potter'

<keyword id="6355629" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="google">Google</keyword> on Wednesday honoured India's "Satellite Man" and renowned scientist late Udupi Ramachandra Rao with a Doodle showing him with a background of the earth and shooting stars, saying that his "stellar technological advancements continue to be felt across the galaxy". As <keyword id="6364480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="chairman">chairman</keyword> of the <keyword id="116095" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Space-Research-Organisation">Indian Space Research Organisation</keyword> (ISRO), Rao supervised the 1975 launch of India's first satellite "Aryabhata." Born on March 10, 1932 in Karnataka, Rao passed away in 2017. He was awarded the <keyword id="100507" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-Bhushan">Padma Bhushan</keyword> in 1976 and Padma Vibhushan in 2017. Rao started his career as a cosmic ray scientist and worked under the father of the Indian space programme, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai at <keyword id="50375" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Massachusetts-Institute-of-Technology">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</keyword> (MIT) in the US. In association with the NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory group, Rao was the first to establish the continuous nature of the solar wind and its effect on geomagnetism using Mariner 2 observations. Rao's experiments on a number of Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft led to a complete understanding of the solar cosmic-ray phenomena and the electromagnetic state of the interplanetary space. He was also the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad and <keyword id="95971" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nehru-Planetarium">Nehru Planetarium</keyword> at Bengaluru and chancellor of the Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology (IIST) at Thiruvananthapuram. Rao was inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington, in 2013 at a ceremony by the Society of Satellite Professionals International. With this, he became the first Indian to be inducted in that category. He also became the first Indian space scientist to be inducted into the Prestigious "IAF Hall of Fame" at Guadalajara, Mexico. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/craftsman-automation-has-fixed-a-price-band-of-14881490-a-share-for-its-150-crore-ipo/articleshow/81408729.cms">Auto components maker Craftsman Automation’s ₹150 crore IPO to hit the capital markets next week — price band fixed at ₹1,488–1,490</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-is-using-the-quad-alliance-to-get-help-from-the-us-japan-and-australia-to-match-chinas-covid-19-vaccine-push/articleshow/81408044.cms">India is asking the QUAD for money to boost vaccine production and counter China’s moves on the global stage</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/elon-musks-net-worth-has-eroded-60-billion-in-just-two-months-as-teslas-market-cap-falls-35/articleshow/81407453.cms">Elon Musk’s wealth has eroded $60 billion in just two months as Tesla's market cap falls 35%</a>

Google Doodle honours Udupi Ramachandra Rao — India's 'satellite man' and Padma Bhushan winner

New Delhi, Jan 25 () Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder and vice-chairman of Naukri.com, India's leading job site, was on Saturday conferred with Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards.
According to a home ministry statement, Bikhchandani has been given Padma Shri in the category of trade and industry.
His company also runs Jeevansathi.com, 99acres.com, and Shiksha.com. In addition, it has made strategic investments in promising web start-ups such as Zomato, Policybazaar, Shopkirana and Ustraa.
He graduated from IIM Ahmedabad in 1989.
Starting off from a servant quarter above a garage and seed capital of two thousand rupees, the entrepreneur's company grew and attracted investments from leading global venture capitalists.
It was the first Internet company to list on Indian stock exchanges. Today, the company employs over 4,000 people and has a market capitalisation of over USD 4.5 billion.
Bikhchandani is also the founding trustee of Ashoka University. ACB RHL

Naukri.com founder gets Padma Shri

Leaving behind the social customs of merely being labelled as good wives, home makers and mothers , Indian women have time and again taken up chores essentially thought of being male-only, and proved that they are equal to their male counterparts, sometimes even better. 
 
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we bring to you the list of women who dared to step in the fields dominated by men and gave them tough challenges in terms of success and recognition. 
 
Durgabai Kamat and Kamlabai Gokhale 
Known as the first female actors of Indian cinema, this mother-daughter duo is always regarded with utmost honour for breaking the stereotype of only male actors in the profession of performing arts. Starring together in Mohini Bhasmasura, the second venture of the legend <keyword id="6410992" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Dadasaheb-Phalke">Dadasaheb Phalke</keyword>, they were cast as Mohini and Parvati, respectively. Both of them went on to become established actresses and their family members are still a part of the industry, veteran marathi actor Vikram Gokhale being one of them. 
 
<keyword id="121358" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Karnam-Malleswari">Karnam Malleswari</keyword> Born in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnam is the most recognised woman Indian weightlifter. In a glorious career spanning over 10 years, she has won 11 gold and 3 silver medals, and a much-celebrated Olympic bronze in 2000 Summer Olympics. Known for her physique, skills and technique, she is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, first woman recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and also a recipient of <keyword id="25105" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Padma-Shri">Padma Shri</keyword> and Arjuna Award. Nowadays, she runs her own academy, training others to do what she did and bring fame to the country. 
 
MC <keyword id="47387" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Mary-Kom">Mary Kom</keyword> Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, better known as MC Mary Kom, needs no introduction. A five-time World Boxing champion, she is the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships, a matter of sheer pride to the country. She achieved her much-awaited fame when she won the bronze medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics. A recipient of Padma Bhushan, Arjuna Award, Padma Shree, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, she has also penned down an autobiography called Unbreakable and is all set to be played by <keyword id="1655" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Priyanka-Chopra">Priyanka Chopra</keyword> in her biopic. 
 
<keyword id="36968" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Zoya-Akhtar">Zoya Akhtar</keyword> Belonging to an influential family of <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>, with screenwriter lyricist Javed Akhtar as her father, screenwriter Honey Irani as her mother, producer-director-actor <keyword id="5015" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Farhan-Akhtar">Farhan Akhtar</keyword> as her brother and the talenthouse Shabana Azmi as her stepmother, it was obvious for Zoya to be a part of the industry but nobody had thought that this shy girl would one day become the most celebrated woman director of India. With critically acclaimed films like Luck By Chance and <keyword id="6373898" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara">Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara</keyword> for her track record, she is very much a part of the young brigade of the industry. 
 
Premlata Agarwal 
Perhaps the most unheard name in the list, Premlata Agarwal is a mountain climber, who is mostly remembered as the oldest Indian woman to have scaled Mount Everest. Not only this, she is also the first Indian woman to scale the Seven Summits, the ultimate dream for any mountaineer. For her contributions, the Indian government facilitated her with Padma Shri in 2013.

You Searched For "padma" and got 12 results

Who can apply for Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Awards and the rules governing these Awards

BI India Bureau

Padma Bhushan for Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal

BI India Bureau

An all-women list for the highest civilian honours from India's Sports Ministry

Preeti Soni

'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi shared a margarita tutorial and drank from the tequila bottle in reaction to elementary schools being closed until fall

Darcy Schild

Satya Nadella hits refresh – from Hyderabad to Microsoft CEO to Padma awardee

Rounak Jain

'Padma Shri' honour encapsulates my entire body of work: Raveena Tandon

PTI

'Top Chef' superstar Padma Lakshmi announces she's leaving the show after 19 seasons

Megan Willett-Wei,Michael Dom…

Padma to Swaraj, Jaitley, Fernandes true reflection of their contribution to Indian polity: Pradhan

PTI

J.K. Rowling's attempt at Indian representation was so bad that I related more to the white female lead in 'Harry Potter'

Sruthi Darbhamulla

Google Doodle honours Udupi Ramachandra Rao — India's 'satellite man' and Padma Bhushan winner

IANS

Naukri.com founder gets Padma Shri

PTI

Indian Women With Offbeat Careers

Nandini Sharma

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