Mumbai, June 24: In a significant announcement, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards to 65 distinguished individuals on June 23 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards included Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri honors, recognizing excellence in various fields. Notable recipients included former Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, acclaimed actor Mammootty, and singer Alka Yagnik.
Rohit Sharma was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cricket. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah. The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honors in India, with Padma Vibhushan being the second highest, followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
In another major development, Kunal Shah has been appointed as the new Global Head of WhatsApp at Meta, effective June 22. Shah, the founder of the CRED app, will succeed Will Cathcart, who will now focus on AI-related projects within Meta. Kunal Shah has a notable track record in the startup ecosystem, having founded PaisaBack and co-founded FreeCharge, which became one of India’s leading digital recharge platforms. His appointment comes as Meta introduces new subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, offering users enhanced features and customization options.
These developments highlight significant achievements in both the fields of sports and technology, marking a day of recognition and new leadership in India.