People at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 – doctors, pharma industry leaders, and medical specialists – formed the largest chunk of those selected for India’s highest civilian awards on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day.
India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, who died last month in a chopper accident, has been honoured posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan — India’s second-highest civilian award.
Krishna Ella, chairman of Bharat Biotech, and his wife and co-founder Suchitra Ella were awarded the Padma Bhushan as was Serum Institute of India’s Cyrus Poonawalla. Over half-a-dozen doctors and those engaged in medical