The Padma Awards 2025 celebrate extraordinary contributions across fields, with a special spotlight on Osamu Suzuki, the visionary behind Suzuki Corporation’s global success in small car sales. Suzuki’s pivotal role in transforming India’s automobile industry through Maruti Suzuki has earned him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan. He brought affordable cars to Indian households, making the dream of car ownership a reality for the middle class. His impact extends beyond business, as he helped shape India’s industrial growth story, cementing his legacy as an icon of innovation and partnership.
MT Vasudevan Nair, a literary giant in Malayalam literature, will be honored with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his immense contributions to Indian storytelling. His works continue to resonate deeply with readers across generations.
This year, seven individuals will receive the Padma Vibhushan, 19 will be honored with the Padma Bhushan, and 113 will be recognized with the Padma Shri.
Notable Padma Bhushan recipients include Nandamuri Balakrishna, Pankaj Udhas (posthumous), and PR Sreejesh, the celebrated Olympian hockey player. Recognized for their excellence in various fields, Dr. Jose Chacko Periyapuram, Shobhana, Ajith Kumar, and CS Vaidyanathan are among the honorees.
In the Padma Shri category, sportspersons like football legend IM Vijayan and cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin have been recognized, alongside cultural luminaries like K Omanakutty Amma and playback singer Arijit Singh.
The awards also highlight exemplary contributions in medicine, arts, public affairs, and social impact. Among the Padma Bhushan awardees are Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia, recognized for their significant achievements.
At the heart of this year’s awards is a celebration of individuals like Osamu Suzuki, whose vision and dedication have not only transformed industries but also touched millions of lives, exemplifying the spirit of innovation and excellence.