New Delhi: Beneath the gilded domes of Rashtrapati Bhawan, in the hallowed Ganatantra Mandap, President Droupadi Murmu presided over a twilight ceremony that felt like a poem to India’s spirit. On this evening in 2025, the Padma Vibhushan, the nation’s second-highest civilian honour, was conferred upon four luminaries whose lives stitched art, science, and industry into the fabric of a nation. The late MT Vasudevan Nair, whose words painted Malayalam’s heart; Dr. Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy, a healer who tamed suffering; Dr. Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, whose violin sang across borders; and the late Osamu Suzuki, who set India’s wheels in motion, were celebrated. With the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Union Home Minister among the dignitaries, the air shimmered with reverence for legacies that continue to shape India’s dreams.
The Storyteller Who Wove a Culture
Born on July 15, 1933, in the quiet village of Kudallur, Palakkad, MT Vasudevan Nair was more than a writer—he was a bard of the Malayalee soul. His oeuvre, spanning over 200 short stories, eight novels, collections of essays, travelogues, and a play, captured the ache and beauty of human existence. Nair redefined Malayalam cinema by crafting 55 screenplays for feature films and an anthology of short films, giving the medium a literary depth. His seven directorial ventures, most adorned with state, national, and international accolades, were meditations on life’s fleeting moments. By publishing screenplays as literature, he elevated the craft, creating an unofficial guidebook for generations of screenwriters. As editor of Mathrubhumi’s literary magazine, Nair bridged worlds, translating works from Indian languages and English into Malayalam, opening global horizons for Malayalee readers. His posthumous Padma Vibhushan is a tribute to a voice that lingers in Kerala’s coconut groves and beyond, whispering truths that time cannot silence.
A Healer’s Quiet Revolution
Dr. Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy, born March 18, 1956, turned the science of healing into an art form. His journey began at Kurnool Medical College, continued with an MD at Madras Medical College, and culminated in gastroenterology specialisation at PGIMER, Chandigarh. From teaching at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad and Guntur Medical College, he founded the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in 1994. This institute, the first in India recognised by the World Endoscopy Organisation as a Centre of Excellence, became a beacon of hope. Reddy’s innovations, like the Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) procedure and the NAGI Stent, transformed lives by offering minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgery, sparing patients pain and hastening recovery. His work, which he describes as saving “countless” lives, reflects a doctor’s heart beating for those in his care. The Padma Vibhushan crowns a career that married science with compassion.
The Violinist Who Strung Worlds Together
Dr. Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, born July 23, 1947, made the violin a vessel for India’s soul on the global stage. A prodigy who performed at six, he mastered the intricate rhythms of Carnatic classical music before venturing into Western classical traditions. His creation of the global fusion concept broke musical barriers, and his historic North-South jugalbandi with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan wove India’s musical traditions into a singular melody. Subramaniam was the first Indian artist to compose, arrange, and perform with major Western orchestras, conducting them with a vision that transcended borders. By elevating the violin’s role in Indian classical music, he fulfilled the dream of his father and guru, Prof. V. Lakshminarayana, to make music a universal language. His Padma Vibhushan honours a maestro whose strings still hum with the promise of harmony.
The Visionary Who Drove India Forward
Osamu Suzuki, born January 30, 1930, in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture, saw India not just as a market but as a partner in progress. In March 1982, his infectious enthusiasm convinced an Indian delegation seeking a collaborator for Maruti Udyog. By October, a joint venture was signed, and by December 1983, the Maruti 800 rolled onto Indian roads, igniting a motorisation revolution. As Director and honorary Chairman of Maruti Suzuki from May 1983 until his passing in December 2024, Suzuki nurtured India’s automotive ecosystem. He guided local parts manufacturers, fostered Japanese-Indian collaborations, and built a supplier network that powered growth. His introduction of Japanese work culture—shared uniforms, common canteens, and open offices—instilled equality and discipline. Suzuki sent Indian workers and managers to Japan for training and produced educational films to shift mindsets, screening them consistently to inspire change. His efforts created over one million jobs across Maruti Suzuki, parts manufacturers, sales outlets, and transportation firms, with exports reaching over 100 countries. Under his stewardship, India’s automotive market grew to the world’s third largest, boosting foreign currency earnings. The Padma Vibhushan posthumously celebrates a man who drove India toward modernity.
A Nation’s Ode to Excellence
The 2025 Padma Awards, comprising 4 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri, are more than honours—they are India’s gratitude to those who shaped its destiny. Nair’s stories gave voice to the unspoken; Reddy’s innovations eased silent suffering; Subramaniam’s music built bridges across oceans; and Suzuki’s vision set a nation in motion. As the chandeliers of Rashtrapati Bhawan dimmed, their legacies burned brighter, etched in the heart of a nation that thrives on their dreams.
A Ceremony Steeped in Meaning
The Civil Investiture Ceremony-I was a tapestry of tradition and triumph. Held in the grandeur of Ganatantra Mandap, it drew India’s highest dignitaries, from the President to the Prime Minister, each bearing witness to a moment where individual brilliance met collective pride. The Padma Vibhushan, a symbol of extraordinary contribution, found fitting recipients in 2025, each a testament to the power of dedication. For Nair, it was a nod to a literary giant whose words still dance in Malayalam’s cadence. For Reddy, it was recognition of a doctor who turned science into salvation. For Subramaniam, it was an ode to a musician who made the violin India’s envoy. And for Suzuki, it was a salute to a leader who saw India’s potential and steered it to greatness.
Echoes of Impact
The ripples of these honourees’ work extend far beyond their fields. Nair’s translations brought global literature to Malayalee homes, broadening cultural horizons. Reddy’s institute not only saved lives but also trained a generation of doctors in cutting-edge techniques. Subramaniam’s fusion music inspired artists worldwide to blend traditions, creating new sounds for a global audience. Suzuki’s Maruti 800 didn’t just sell cars—it gave millions of Indians the freedom of mobility, transforming how a nation moved. Together, their contributions remind us that true greatness lies in uplifting others, in leaving the world richer than they found it.
– global bihari bureau
