The Padma Shri Award was established in 1954 and is the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, the first one being the Bharat Ratna.
The award is given every year on India’s Republic Day to citizens of India in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs. Some distinguished individuals who were not citizens of India but did contribute in various ways to India have also received this award.
The Padma Shri Design
The award is made in burnished bronze with white gold embossing.
It bears, on the obverse, the words “Padma” (meaning lotus) and “Shri” (the honorific equivalent of Mr. or Ms.) in Devanagari above and below the pattern of a lotus flower.
