Padma Vibhushan

The second highest civilian honor of India Padma Vibhushan is established January 2, 1954. It given for exceptional and prominent service to the nation in any field including government servants. It was suspended from July 13, 1977 to January 26, 1980.

The decoration is circular in design with a geometrical pattern superimposed on the circle. The diameter of the circular portion is 4.4 cm and the thickness about 0.6 mm. On the obverse, there is a lotus flower embossed in the circular space. The word "Padma" is embossed in Hindi above and the word Vibhushan below the lotus flower. On the reverse are state emblem and the motto in Hindi. It is of toned bronze. The inscription "Padma Vibhushan" on the obverse, the geometrical pattern on either side and the border around periphery are in burnished bronze. All embossing on either side of decoration is in white gold.