Did You Know - What is Posthumous Padma Bhushan?

A renowned academic Dr. NR Madhava, credited for having revolutionized legal education in India, has been posthumously conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.

Life of Dr. Menon

• Born in 1935, Dr. Menon completed his B.Sc. and B.L. degrees from Kerala University, LL.M. and Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim University and M.A. Degree from Punjab University. 
• He started his career in 1955 as an apprentice to a local lawyer after completing his legal education from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram. 
• He then got enrolled as an Advocate in Kerala High Court in 1956 at the early age of 20.

Works of Dr. Menon

• NR Madhava Menon was the founder-director of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and headed it for 12 years. 
• He authored several books on Indian legal education, the legal profession, and judicial training
• Menon was honored by the Padma Shri, fourth highest Indian civilian award, in 2003 for his outstanding contribution to public services.
• There is an annual Best Law Teacher Award of a lakh of rupees and a plaque instituted in Dr. Menon’s name by the Society of Indian Law Firms to commemorate his services to the legal profession and legal education for more than half a century.

How is Padma Bhushan Awarded?

• Padma Awards are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day. The award is given in three categories - Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri.
• Padma Awards recognise works of distinction and are conferred on the selected people for “distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines”.
• The awards, presented by the President of India carry a certificate signed by the President and a medallion.
• The total number of awards given in a year should not exceed 120, excluding posthumous awards and those given to NRIs, foreigners or overseas citizens of India.
• Posthumous Padma Awards are given only in “highly deserving cases”.
• According to the Padma Awards rules, the recipients cannot use the award as a title, suffixing or prefixing it to their names as they do not amount to titles within the meaning of Article 18(1) of the Constitution and thus are not to be used as prefixes or suffixes to the name of the recipient in any manner whatsoever.