Ambition always begins with a dream, with a purpose. Though money may be an important part of it, most people strive and achieve for reasons other than money. It's the quest to prove themselves. However, not all those who strive succeed. That's where the importance of awards and public recognition comes in. Awards are not only for acknowledging success, they recognise many other qualities: ability, efforts, struggle and above all, excellence. Disha's Padma Achievers 2016 focuses on those truly remarkable Indians/ foreigners who have won fame and encouragement to pursue their excellence in their respective fields. The book goes into great detail of the lives of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardees - how they got their recognition, their struggle and how they achieved these rare feats in their respective fields. Padma Achievers 2016 has been designed to cater to - a) Aspirants of various competitive exams like Civil services, Banks, Railways, UPSC and PSC exams and Quiz Competition across the country and, b) Teachers, researchers, media persons, laymen and avid readers. The book may benefit you in many ways like - . The knowledge about various honours, awards and recognitions conferred by the government of India has multiple practical uses and it can make you crack various competitive exams like UPSC, Civil Services, SSC, Banking, Insurance, Railways, Engg Services and AFCAT etc. and can keep you updated on the latest trends. . Whether it is an Essay or Group Discussion or PI, the book can help you enhance your general knowledge. You have every chance to be able to stand out from the crowd if your knowledge on the GK is sufficient. It can enhance your public speaking skills while giving examples of these distinguished personalities. . It will help strike a conversation with a friend or colleague. General knowledge and current affairs are instant conversation starters. . It also helps you keep up with the latest trends in diverse fields like Science & Engineering, Trade & Industry, Medicine, Art & Cinema, Literature & Education, Sports & Journalism, Spiritualism, Social Work & Public Affairs etc. . With the inspiration from the lives of people who made it big, it makes you street smart and helps you take well informed decisions in life and may prove to be a guiding light in your professional career. . Since the awardees come from diverse cultures and ethnicities, it will help you form a perspective about the cultures that are different from your own. A must reference book for teachers, researchers, motivators and mentors who will find multiple examples of guiding their students as well as for parents for motivating their kids. The book also provides a first-hand information about other Indian as well as International awards like Civilian awards ? Gandhi Peace Prize, Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, Tagore Award; Gallantry awards- Param Vir, Maha Vir, Ashok Chakra; National sports awards- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya award, Arjuna award, Dhyan Chand Award, Bravery awards and Dada Saheb Phalke Awards; Nobel Prize, Magsaysay Awards, Pulitzer Prize & Oscar Awards etc. The book provides listings of winners of such awards. The only compendium of Indian/ International awards and their achievers is concisely written and illustrated with pie charts on the basis of age-group, gender and diversified fields etc