Difference between Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan
Padma Awards are Indian civilian awards given to recognise any work of distinction in all fields such as medicine, science and engineering, civil service, art, literature and education, sports, public affairs, trade and industry, etc. There are three categories of Padma awards- Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. Padma Shri as awarded for distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of higher order, and Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service. These awards were established in the year 1954. Except a few interruptions in the years 1978, ‘79 and ‘93 to ‘97 these awards have been announced every year on Republic Day.
History
Padma Vibhushan was established on January 2, 1954. It was originally called Pahela Varg (First class of the three Padma awards). This name was changed in 1955 and no one received this award in the original structure i.e. the Pahela Varg. Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian honour in India behind the Bharat Ratna. 264 people have been honored with this award through 2010. Padma Shri is fourth highest civilian honour after Padma Bhushan. It was also instituted in 1954 and 2,336 people have received this award to date.
Nominations
Recommendations are received every year from all state government agencies, departments of the Indian government, institutes of excellence and from people who have already been awarded either the Padma Vibhushan or Bharat Ratna prize.The Padma Award Committee then goes through the suggestions from above mentioned sources as well as from other sources like the Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament and Governors. The Prime Minister builds the award committee every year. The recommendations from the committee are then sent to the PM and The President of India for approval. No recommendations other than those submitted by the award committee are entertained. The maximum number of Padma awards that can be given in a year is 120.
Medallion
The initial Padma Vibhushan medal had an embossed lotus in the center, with a legend of “Padma Vibhushan” above, while the other side has the state emblem with the legend “Desh Seva” at the top. In 1955, the medal was changed and the four main petals of the flower were embossed in white gold and some new geometrical patterns were introduced. The medal’s material was again changed in 1957 and this time it was burnished bronze. There have been no further changes since that time. The Padma Shri medal also has all of these geometrical patterns and is burnished bronze on the either side with all the embossed work done with white gold.
Similarities and Differences
Padma Vibhushan
- It was established on 2nd January, 1954.
- It was originally called Pahela Varg (First class of the three Padma awards).
- Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian honour in India behind Bharat Ratna.
- 264 people have been honoured with this award till now.
Padma Shri
- Padma Shri is fourth highest civilian honour after Padma Bhushan.
- Medal has all the geometrical patterns in burnished bronze on the either side and embossing is done with white gold.
- It was also instituted in 1954 and 2336 people have received this award till now.
