Padma Shri awards announced to all 10 ASEAN nations

In a novelty this year, Padma Shri awards are being handed over to one person from all 10 ASEAN nations to mark 25 years of India’s partnership with the Southeast Asian grouping.

One such awardee is Malai Haji Abdullah Bin Malai Haji Othman of Brunei Darussalam who was honoured in the medicine category. He founded the Society for Management of Autism Related Issues in Training, Education and Resources (Smarter).

Indonesian sculptor, Nyoman Nuarta who is known for works such as Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, devoted to Vishnu in Bali was also awarded.

For his role in public affairs, Hun Many of Cambodia, the son of former PM Hun Sen was awarded Padma Shri. He is the president of Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia and also Cambodia's youngest parliamentarian.

Another awardee, a classical Odissi dancer, Datuk Ramli Bin Ibraham of Malaysia has been teaching dance for over 40 years. He runs Sutra Dance Theatre in Malaysia and received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2011.

Bounlap Keokangna of Laos, former deputy director of Vat Phou World Heritage Site, was also on the list. He had helped in the restoration of the Shiva temple of Bhadreshwara, known as Vat Phou along with ASI.

The others included in the list were Dr Thant Myint U of Myanmar, a historian and author; Tommy Koh, ambassador in the ministry of foreign affairs, Singapore; Somdet Phra Ariya Wongsa Khottayan, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand who trained as a monk at the age of 10; Jose Ma Joey Concepcion III of the Philippines, CEO and president of RFM Corp; and Nguyen Tien Thien, secretary general of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.