Nine prominent personalities, including an internationally acclaimed weightlifter, an author of adventure novels and a Gandhian, from the northeast were conferred the Padma Shri on the Republic Day. Tennis player Somdev Devvarman from Tripura was also conferred the Padma Shri. Joyshree Goswami Mahanta, an educationist from Assam, who has penned several books, was conferred the Padma Shri. Padma awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. This year, the President has approved conferment of 85 Padma awards including three Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan and 73 Padma Shri awards.

Source: dna January 26, 2018 18:33 UTC