Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his X handle to congratulate all the recipients of Padma awards and extend his warm wishes. The post read, “Congratulations to all the Padma awardees! India is proud to honour and celebrate their extraordinary achievements. Their dedication and perseverance are truly motivating. Each awardee is synonymous with hardwork, passion and innovation, which has positively impacted countless lives. They teach us the value of striving for excellence and serving society selflessly.”
The tweet caught the attention of Ricky Kej, who has been named as one of the winners of Padma Bhushan award for his contribution to art and music. Ricky, whose real name is Ram Gyan, is a three-time Grammy award winner. He won is last Grammy in 2023 for his album ‘Divine Tides’.
Ricky Kej Responds
Ricky shared PM’s post and went on to appreciate him for changing the art scene in India. He also thanked him for encouraging careers of aspiring artistes and giving them a much-needed push. “Dear Prime Minister Sri @narendramodi ji, you have created an atmosphere in our nation where we all have the potential to excel. You encourage, enable and cheer on our artists in every possible way. We no longer sit on the sidelines in the international arena but take leadership.”
He added, “I have always attributed the success that I enjoy to your advice, inspiration and blessings, and the same with this Padma Shri honour I have received. This is a new India where artists do not need to ask, yet we receive. To me, this honour is not an end goal, but a new beginning. A platform for doing better and bigger for our nation under you. My best is yet to come. My deepest and most sincere gratitude sir.”
About Padma Awards 2025
Padma Awards 2025 were announced on the eve of Republic Day, and several renowned figures from the film fraternity were named as the winners. In total, the government of India felicitated winners from different fields with 19 Padma Bhushans and 113 Padma Shri awardees.
Singer and composer Arijit Singh, veteran Marathi actor Ashok Saraf, and actor Mamata Shankar have been awarded the Padma Shri, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the arts and entertainment industry.
Other notable awardees include Nandamuri Balakrishna, who has been bestowed with the Padma Bhushan, a testament to his remarkable work in the film industry. Late Pankaj Udhas, a legendary singer, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously, a tribute to his enduring legacy. Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and actor-dancer Shobana Chandrakumar have also been named as recipients of the Padma Bhushan, acknowledging their significant impact on the entertainment industry.
