Padma Awards 2016: 12 awardees belong to SCs, STs, OBCs; 19 are women

As many as 12 eminent people belonging to SCs, STs and OBCs were among 112 chosen for this year's Padma Awards. The awardees also included 19 women and equal number of NRIs or foreigners.

In the list of awardees of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, four belonged to Scheduled Castes, four to Scheduled Tribes and four belonged to Other Backward Class. There were 19 women awardees and 19 belonged to category of NRI/PIO/Foreigners.

The awardees were from different regions of the country covering all sections of society, including farmers, a Home Ministry official said. While 18 of the awardees are from Delhi, 16 belong to Maharashtra, 12 were from Uttar Pradesh and 11 belonged to Karnataka.

Padma Awards, among the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The awards are given in various disciplines/fields of activities, viz, art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field.

The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/April every year.