Padma Awards: The government has recently announced the Padma Awards for the year 2018. There are three awards under the category Padma Awards and these are Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri in the decreasing order of hierarchy. Padma Awards are country’s second highest civilian awards given after Bharat Ratna. The awards for this year included 3 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 73 Padma Shri. The word ‘Padma’ means Lotus and the medallion given as part of Padma awards is in shape of Lotus.
Ashok Chakra: Ashok Chakra is highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peacetime equivalent of Param Vir Chakra.