 "Modi govt to confer Padma awards on Ramdev, Sri Sri and Amitabh Bachchan")
Spiritual ‘gurus’ Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Sankar figure in the list of people slated to receive the Padma awards. According to The Indian Express , they join a list of luminaries like Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth who will be awarded with the country’s top honours year.
Zee News reports that LK Advani, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal will also receive awards.
“Actor Dilip Kumar, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, lyricist and ad guru Prasoon Joshi, who worked on the BJP’s advertisement campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, and scriptwriter Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan, also figure in the list,” reports The Indian Express.
Badminton player PV Sindhu, wrestler Sushil Kumar and his coach Satpal and Indian hockey team captain Sardara Singh will also be receiving awards in the sports category.
The government has decided to award economist and now a NITI Ayog member Bibek Debroy with an award. Journalist Swapan Dasgupta, known to be a robust defender and advocate of the BJP has made it to the list of awardees this year too.
Music director Anu Malik is also getting an award.
Zee News reports: “Sports Ministry has already nominated badminton player Saina Nehwal for a Padma Bhushan as a “special case”. Regarding the controversy over the ace badminton player, the MHA officials had earlier said that the Centre was not dependent on just the Sports Ministry recommendation to give Nehwal a Padma Bhushan.”
However, it’s the decision to award Ramdev which has met with the most criticism on social media.
Baba Ramdev to be conferred the Padma award. This is a big victory for running away in a salwar kameez and honeymoons.
— Kanika Gahlaut (@kanikagahlaut) January 23, 2015
So yoga guru Baba Ramdev is going to get one of #India's most prestigious awards. Maybe he'll finally pay his taxes? http://t.co/TzsVX0brcX
— Ammu Kannampilly (@akannampilly) January 23, 2015
If Baba Ramdev can get a Padma award for winking, you can too!
— Abhishek Sharma (@alephthoughts) January 23, 2015
Haha haha!!Ramdev to be awarded padma award? For jumping from the stage and escaping the police in guise of a woman?
— Prasan Kumar (@prasan_kumar) January 23, 2015
I say if Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri can get Padma awards why can't Nirmal Baba? Is there any proof his suggestions are less effective?
— Arun G (@aarungeorge) January 23, 2015
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