Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Padma Bhushan
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question connects current affairs with static general knowledge about Indian civilian awards. It refers to K. Srinath Reddy, a well known public health expert, who was appointed as an adviser to the Odisha government on public health programmes. The question asks which major civilian honour of India he has received.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The candidate needs to know two things. First, who K. Srinath Reddy is and his importance in Indian public health. Second, which civilian award he has received for his contributions. The Padma awards are given in three main categories below Bharat Ratna: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, in increasing order of precedence. Associating the correct level of recognition with his name is the key.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that K. Srinath Reddy is a cardiologist and leading public health expert, known for heading organisations such as the Public Health Foundation of India.
Step 2: Remember that he has been honoured by the Government of India for his contribution to medicine and public health.
Step 3: The specific civilian award conferred upon him is the Padma Bhushan, which recognises distinguished service of a high order.
Step 4: Compare the award names in the options and locate Padma Bhushan.
Step 5: Confirm that other award levels like Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna do not match his known honours.
Verification / Alternative check:
As an alternative check, one can recall the typical list of Indian doctors and scientists who have received the Padma Bhushan. K. Srinath Reddy is often mentioned in such lists. Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna are reserved for very few individuals with nationwide or global impact on an extraordinary scale, which typically become widely known to the general public. K. Srinath Reddy, though highly respected, is specifically associated with the Padma Bhushan level, not with Bharat Ratna or Padma Vibhushan.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Padma Vibhushan is a higher civilian award than Padma Bhushan and is not associated with K. Srinath Reddy. Padma Shri is a lower level civilian honour and is given more widely, but his name is linked with a higher distinction. Bharat Ratna is India s highest civilian award and only a very small number of personalities have received it. None of the above is incorrect because Padma Bhushan, which is the correct award, is explicitly listed among the answer choices.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, because both are widely given to prominent figures in various fields. Another common error is to pick Bharat Ratna whenever a name sounds important, without checking if that person is widely known at the level that Bharat Ratna winners usually are. Careful memorisation of who received which level of award helps avoid this mistake.
Final Answer:
K. Srinath Reddy has been honoured with the civilian award Padma Bhushan for his contribution to public health and medicine.
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