CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has extended his congratulations to those who have been selected for the prestigious Padma Awards, recognizing their contributions across various fields.

In a post on social media, Udhayanidhi expressed his happiness over the selection of actor Ajith Kumar, industrialist Nalli Kuppuswami and renowned dancer Shobana Chandrakumar for the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India. He also conveyed his wishes to several other recipients of the Padma Awards, including cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and M Damodaran, Parai artiste Velu Aasan, Thavil artiste P Datchanamoorthy, Therukoothu artiste Purisai Kannappa Sambandan, and others.