New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday asked the people of the country to nominate inspiring people for the Padma Awards, which he called People’s Padma (with a hashtag). 

The last date for nominations for Padma Awards is Sept. 15. “India has many talented people, who are doing exceptional work at the grassroots. Often, we don’t see or hear much of them. Do you know such inspiring people? You can nominate them for the #PeoplesPadma. Nominations are open till 15th September,” PM Modi said in his tweet.

Modi also posted a link to the Padma Awards website where people can post their nominations.  The tweet comes as the Government has launched an initiative to identify such people who are working at the grassroots. The Union Home Ministry has urged all Central Ministries, States and other awardees to identify people whose excellence and achievements deserve to be recognised.

In his first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address of the year in January, PM Modi had urged the people of the country to learn about “unsung heroes” who work selflessly.

The Padma awards — Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan — are among the highest civilian honours awarded by the Indian Government on the Republic Day’s eve after being recommended by a Padma Awards Committee. 

The awards have been facing controversy over some time now. The Modi Government has been trying to introduce greater transparency in the award process and earlier launched an interactive dashboard of all the awardees since the awards have been given.

Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997.