– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
The distinguished personalities who were conferred with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards by the President of India Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan, include the following Muslims:
Dr. Zahir I Kazi from Mumbai is a distinguished educationist and president of Anjuman Islam. He was awarded Padam Shri. He is among the ten Maharashtrians to receive the award. Dr. Kazi has been heading the Anjuman for 14 years. The Anjuman is completing 150 years of its inception this year.
M Fathima Beevi (Posthumous): The first lady Judge of the Supreme Court and former governor of Tamil Nadu is awarded posthumous Padma Bhushan. She expired last year at the age of 96. She was also the first woman chairperson of Human Rights Commission. She began her career as a lawyer in 1950 in Kerala. In 1958 she became the Munsif and was promoted as subordinate judge in 1968. She became the regular judge of High Court in 1084. And in October 1989 she was appointed Supreme Court Judge and retired in 1992. She became Governor of Tamil Nadu in 1997.
Naseem Banu. She hails from Lucknow and was awarded Padm Shri in Art. She has received ten other awards also for her hand-made crafts.
Takdira Begum, 70, from West Bengal was awarded Padma Bhushan for Kantha Craft work. Her outstanding contribution has given a new life to the craft itself.
Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, the head of Music School Shrodhara from Bangla Desh is awarded Padma Shri for contribution to Rabindra Sangeet Music. She got training in this Rabindra Sangeet from Shanti Niketan. She also won the highest civilian award of Bangla Desh in 2016.
Khalil Ahmed, from Uttar Pradesh, was awarded Padma Shri for contribution in Kilim Craft. His interest in the craft was inspired by his father who was himself a National and Shilp Guru Award winner for his kilim rug weaving skills. As a pioneering handicraft artist himself, Mr. Ahmad wishes that the dexterous craft continues to thrive and provides training to ensure the same.
Ghulam Nabi Dar, a 72-year-old master craftsman from Srinagar, was honoured with Padma Shri for his contribution to wood carving. His unwavering dedication to his craft for over six decades has earned him numerous accolades, culminating in this national recognition.
Ali Mohammed and Ghani Mohammed (Duo) from Rajasthan. The duo, known as the Ghani Brothers, have been awarded for excellence in folk singing.
Padma Awards – one of 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, etc. 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.
