Musician Ricky Kej Honoured With Padma Shri: ‘Validation For My Complete Profession…’ | Individuals Information

New Delhi: Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, who obtained the Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, shared how significant the honour feels to him.

Kej, a music composer and environmentalist, has received three Grammy Awards and was nominated 4 instances. Nevertheless, he says that receiving an award from his personal nation for his general work holds a particular place in his coronary heart.

#WATCH | Delhi: Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej receives the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu, for his contribution to the sector of arts- music. pic.twitter.com/fABnonXvWo
— ANI (@ANI) Might 27, 2025

Whereas talking to ANI, Kej stated, “I imply, I’ve received three Grammy Awards previously. And all of the awards that I’ve received, even moreover the Grammy Awards, have at all times been for a selected challenge, or it has been for a selected music, album, or one thing like that. However to win this award, which is sort of like a validation for my whole profession and all the things I’ve achieved in music, in addition to the social causes that I’ve highlighted by way of my music, feels actually particular. And to be awarded by my very own nation, and by the best authorities of my nation, that’s completely particular. There aren’t any phrases to explain that.”

The musician additionally shared how proud and excited his mom was to be there.

“Oh, my mom has traveled with me for this specific event as a result of she did not accompany me for the Grammy Awards all 3 times. However this time, she traveled with me for the Padma Awards. I suppose, for her, this was extra vital than the Grammy Awards, clearly. I feel it’s a much more prestigious award. And so she’s extraordinarily excited. I am very excited, however I suppose she’s much more excited,” he stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Ministers Amit Shah, S Jaishankar, Pralhad Joshi, Jitendra Singh, G. Kishan Reddy, and a number of other different ministers and dignitaries have been current on the event.

The Padma Awards–one of the best civilian awards of the country–are conferred in three classes: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The awards are given in varied disciplines/fields of exercise, together with artwork, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, commerce and trade, medication, literature and schooling, sports activities, civil service, and so on.

Padma Vibhushan is awarded for distinctive and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of excessive order; and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any area. The awards are introduced on the event of Republic Day every year.

These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial capabilities held at Rashtrapati Bhavan yearly.

For the yr 2025, the President has authorized the conferment of 139 Padma Awards, together with a duo case (by which the award is counted as one). The checklist includes 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards.

23 of the awardees are girls, and the checklist additionally contains 10 people from the classes of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, in addition to 13 posthumous awardees.