On receiving Padma Bhushan, Sundar Pichai in his blog wrote – I would like to thank Ambassador Sandhu and Consul General Prasad for giving me the Padma Bhushan. I am deeply grateful to the Government of India and the people of India for this immense honor. To be honored in this way by the country that shaped me is incredibly meaningful. India is a part of me. I take it with me wherever I go.

Google CEO said- We recently announced that we will invest $10 billion in India’s digital future, work to enable more affordable internet access, build products for India’s unique needs, Helping businesses of all sizes drive digital transformation and use AI to address great societal challenges. I look forward to continuing the great partnership between Google and India as we work together to bring the benefits of technology to more people.

Earlier this year, we added 24 new languages to Google Translate using a new advance in machine learning. Eight of them are native languages of India. It means a lot to see how people can access information and knowledge in their preferred language, and see the world open to them in new ways. This is why I remain so optimistic about technology, and I believe that India can and should continue to lead – said Sundar Pichai

https://blog.google/inside-google/message-ceo/receiving-a-padma-bhushan-award/

Ambassador Taranjit S Sandhu said: Delighted to hand over the Padma Bhushan to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google in San Francisco. His inspirational journey from Madurai to Mountain View strengthens Indo-US economic ties and technology. Affirms the contribution of Indian talent to global innovation.

The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country. These awards are instituted in the year 1954. The award recognize ‘work of distinction’ and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields/disciplines, such as, Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible except working with PSUs, Doctors and Scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards. The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously. The awards are presented by the President of India usually in the month of March/April every year where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.

The nominations/recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the Padma Portal, including a citation in narrative form (maximum 800 words), that brings out the distinguished and exceptional achievements/service of the person recommended. 

All nominations received for Padma Awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has requested all Central Ministries/Departments, States/UT Governments, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees, Institutes of Excellence to make concerted efforts to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to society.

Information Source: www.padmaawards.gov.in/AboutAwards.aspx