Ajith Kumar, Balakrishna and Arijit Singh were among the notable names from the entertainment industry to receive the Padma Awards from President Droupadi Murmu.
The event that took place at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, honoured various eminent personalities from other walks of life.
After receiving the award Ajith Kumar condemned the recent attack in Pahalgam.
“I strongly condemn the attack,” Ajith said. “I believe the government is doing everything it can. My prayers are with those who have suffered. I sincerely hope such incidents never happen again. We must learn to understand one another and behave with dignity. Let us set aside our differences and strive to live as one united society. I met several army personnel. It’s because of their sacrifice and service that we are able to sleep in peace. I pray for their well-being and that of their families. We must respect every religion, every caste. At the very least, we should stop fighting among ourselves.,” the actor said.
The Padma awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day and are presented across various disciplines, including public affairs, science and engineering, social work, medicine, literature, sports, and civil services.
When the awards were announced in January, Ajith issued a statement that read, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the esteemed Padma Award by the President of India. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu and the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for this prestigious honour. It is a privilege to be recognized at such a level and I am truly grateful for this generous acknowledgment of my contributions to our nation.”