Padma Awards considered to be the highest civilian awards have been announced for the year 2018. A total of eighty five people have been awarded including music composer Ilayaraja (Padma Vibhushan), cricketing sensation MS Dhoni (Padma Bhushan) and Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh idealogue P Parameswaran(Padma Vibhushan).

The awards were given in three categories namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri to those selected by the Home Ministry. In addition to this Home Minister Rajnath Singh also hosted a dinner for 43 of the award winners on Monday. 

It is also worth mentioning here that this time awards the ministry has taken effort to identify people who have significantly contributed to the society as evident through awardees such as a 99 year old freedom fighter, a 75 year old tribal woman who prepares medicines to cure snake and insect bites.