Padma Vibhushan awards: Ex-VP Venkaiah Naidu says ‘humbled’, Chiranjeevi ‘speechless’

Hyderabad: Former Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu who has been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country, has said he was truly humbled by it and dedicated the award to farmers, women, youth and all fellow citizens.

In a post on “X”, Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday night said the award makes him even more conscious of his role in the national endeavour to create a Shreshth Bharat.

“Truly humbled by the honour of Padma Vibhushan award conferred upon me. As I continue to serve the people after my tenure as the Vice President of India, this honour makes me even more conscious of my role in the national endeavour to create a Shreshth Bharat. I dedicate this honour to the farmers, women, youth & all my fellow citizens of Bharat. Let us rededicate ourselves to the service of the motherland & strive to take Bharat to greater heights of glory,” he said in the post.

And, the megastar said he was speechless when asked to comment on the Centre’s decision.

Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

For the year 2024, the President has approved the conferment of 132 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one).

The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 8 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 9 Posthumous awardees.