Among 112 recipients of Padma Awards, 4 were named as Padma Vibhushans.
The Centre on Frida announced names of 112 prominent personalities who were named for conferment of this year's Padma awards. Among 112 recipients of Padma Awards, 4 were named as Padma Vibhushans.
President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh has been named among four Padma Vibhushan awardees. Others are Chhattisgarh folk artist Teejan Bai, chairman of infrastructure major L&T Anilkumar Manibhai Naik and noted historian Balwant Moreshwar Purandare.
Here is all you need to know about four prominent personalities who have been named Padma Vibhushans:
1. Teejan Bai
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Teejan Bai is a Pandavani artist from Chhattisgarh and a recipient of several national and international awards. Pandavani is a form of art in which stories from the Mahabharata are narrated in improvised, rustic singing. The art is very popular in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh and neighbouring States.
Besides being awarded a Padma Bhushan in 2003, the 61-year-old artist was honoured with Japan's Fukuoka Arts and Culture Prize last year.
According to a profile of her by The Hindu, she was born Born into a poor family in a village 15 kilometres from Bhilai. Oldest of five children, she has had a passion for singing from an early age. Teejan, whose singing was not encouraged by parents, learnt the art of Pandavani from her maternal grandfather.
2. Ismail Omar Guelleh
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India conferred Padma Vibhushan to President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh for extending his country's support for India's operation Rahat for rescuing Indians and foreigners from war hit Yemen in 2015. Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh has been in power since 1999. 72-year-old Guelleh won a fourth five-year term as Djibouti’s president in a 2016 election by securing 87% of the votes cast.
Djibouti, a small Horn of Africa nation, is home to a regional port as well as US and French military bases. As the country of around 8.8 lakh people is trying to forge closer links with China, the honour to the President is a major diplomatic move.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh on the sidelines of the international solar alliance meet last year.
3. Anilkumar Manibhai Naik
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Founder chairman of infrastructure major L&T Anilkumar Manibhai Naik has been also awarded Padma Vibhushan. In November 2018, the government appointed Naik as chairman of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) the apex-level body that charts the course for skill training of India's youth.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2009. He previously held the position of Chairman-Governors Board at Indian Institute of Management.
An engineering graduate from from Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College, Gujarat, Naik. A born Gujarati, he joined the company as a Junior Engineer in 1965 and rose through ranks, leading to his appointment as Chairman and Managing Director on December 29, 2003.
Naik was the Group Executive Chairman of L&T from 2012 to 2017 before he stepped aside from executive responsibilities, and was appointed Group Chairman.
4. Balwant Moreshwar Purandare
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Balwant Moreshwar Purandare is a noted Marathi historian, known for his research and work on Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Balwant Moreshwar Purandare, popularly known as Babasaheb Purandare, was Friday awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, for contribution in the field of art-acting-theatre.
Purandare, who was born on August 19, 1921, started writing about the life of Shivaji from a very young age. He is known for his books like Raja Shiv Chhatrapati, Purandaryanchi Daulat, Purandaryanchi Naubat and Gadsanch which are considered masterpieces on the life and times of the 16th century Maratha warrior king.
Purandare, who is referred to as "Shiv Shahir" or 'Shivaji's poet', has had his share of controversies. A row erupted when the Maharashtra government headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis conferred him with the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award, the state's highest honour. He was also criticised for assisting controversial American author James Laine write his book 'Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India', which had allegedly made controversial inferences about Shivaji's mother Jijabai and his mentor Dadaji Konddev.
