Manipur’s 100-year-old dance maestro, litter collector from Chandigarh among 45 awarded Padma Shri in 'unsung heroes' category
Among awardees are Inderjit Singh Sidhu from Chandigarh, the former IPS officer who still collects roadside litter in a cycle cart to keep Chandigarh clean and continues to inspire at 88 years
A centenarian dancer from Manipur, a litter collector from Chandigarh, and the mother of Indian neonatology from Maharashtra were among 45 individuals from across India chosen for the Padma Shri award in the 'unsung heroes' category on the occasion of Republic Day.
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Called People's Padmas, the aim is to continue with the principle of celebrating ordinary Indians making extraordinary contributions. This year’s Padma Awards recognise a wide spectrum of unsung heroes from across the length and breadth of India.
"Each has overcome tremendous personal hardships and tragedies to not just excel in their chosen mediums, but go further on to serve society at large. These include individuals from marginalised Backward and Dalit communities, primitive Tribes, and hailing from remote and difficult terrains," an official statement read.
These are people who have dedicated entire lifetimes in service of Divyangjan, Women, Children, Dalits and Tribals - working in promoting Healthcare, Education, Livelihood, Sanitation, and Sustainability.
"From doctors working in local health challenges like Haemophilia to a neonatologist who set up India’s first human milk-bank … from preserving India’s indigenous heritage and promoting national integration in border States to promoting tribal languages and indigenous martial arts … from preserving dying arts and weaves to safeguarding the nation’s ecological wealth and championing swachta - this set of awardees truly epitomises everyday Indians silently going about their everyday lives, in service of Bharat Mata," said the government on Sunday.
Among awardees are Inderjit Singh Sidhu from Chandigarh, the former IPS officer who still collects roadside litter in a cycle cart to keep Chandigarh clean and continues to inspire at 88 years.
Khem Raj Sundariyal from Haryana, a master tapestry and jamdani weaver, is also in the list of people selected for the People's Padma Shri this year.
List of People’s Padma Awardees
Anke Gowda (Karnataka): Once a bus conductor, his love for books led him to build libraries and preserve knowledge for generations.
Armida Fernandes (Mumbai pediatrician): Established Asia's first human milk bank, worked to reduce infant mortality, mother of Indian neonatology.
Bhagwandas Raikwar (Bundeli martial art trainer): Set up Chhatrasal Akhara to teach the use of traditional weapons and preserve Bundelkhand's martial tradition.
Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda (Maharashtra): The only living legend who plays a musical instrument made out of bottle gourd and bamboo. He is a fourth generation artiste.
Brijlal Bhat (J&K): Distinguished social worker, set up spiritual retreats, successfully developed apple and walnut orchards on reclaimed barren land.
Budhri Thati (Chhattisgarh): Served in naxal-affected interiors, confronted threats to take education to the remote areas.
Charan Hembram (Odisha): Santhali author and composer
Chiranjilal Yadav (UP): For art, known for extensive brass engraving art.
Dharmiklal Pandya (Gujarat): Single-handedly revived a singing recital of an epic while playing a percussion instrument.
Kumaraswamy Thangaraja (Telangana): Eminent geneticist, redefined the genetic history of the Indian population; his study revealed the shared ancestry of Indians.
Padma Gurmet (Ladakh): Practitioner of ancient Himalayan medicine systems.
P Natesan (Tamil Nadu): Pioneering veterinarian, integrated Siddha and livestock knowledge with modern science, his work reduced antibiotic residues in milk by developing herbal solutions
Shyam Sunder (UP): For Medicine, the top expert for the treatment of Kala Azar.
Gafrudin Mewarti (Rajasthan): For art, an instrumentalist who has preserved ancient folk art traditions.
Gambhir Singh Yonzone (West Bengal): For literature and culture, working for education and social service in Darjeeling.
Hally War (Meghalaya): Nurturned eco-friendly traditions of the Khasi people, preserved indigenous bioengineering knowledge, teaching bioweaving of the traditional living root bridges of the East Khasi hills.
Hari Madhab (West Bengal): Posthumously for art, actor, director.
Inderjit Singh Sidhu (Chandigarh): Chandigarh: Former IPS, collected roadside litter with a cycle cart to keep Chandigarh clean, continues to inspire at 88 years.
Jogesh Deuri (Assam): Renowned sericulturist, engaged several villages in sericulture.
K Pajanivel (Puducherry): Preserving Tamilian weapon-based martial art.
Kailash Chandra Pant (MP): Senior journalist propagating the Hindi language.
Khem Raj Sundariyal (Haryana): Master tapestry and jamdani weaver.
KD Amma (Kerala): Environmentalist
Mahendra Kumar Mishra (Odisha): Protected voices of tribal communities; published books on tribal folklore
Mangala Kapoor (UP): Literature and education, a renowned classical singer, acid attack survivor, had 36 surgeries.
Hajibhai Kasambhai (Gujarat): Art, dholak practitioner.
Mohan Nagar (MP): Environmentalist who mobilised communities for water and land restoration
Naresh Chandra Verma (Tripura): Literature and education: Is preserving local languages.
Nilesh Mandewala (Gujarat): Social work, founder of Donate Life, which facilitates organ donation
Nuruddin Ahmed (Assam): Director, art director, set and costume designer
Othuvar Thiruthani (Tamil Nadu): For art, a bhajan singer with six decades of service
Pokila Lekthepi (Assam): Outstanding contribution to Karbi folk music.
R Krishnan (Tamil Nadu): Art: Preserving a millennium-old tribal art tradition of the Nilgiris.
Ramchandra and Sunita Godobole (Chhattisharh): Pioneered Bastar rural healthcare project
Raghupat Singh (UP): Padma Shri for agriculture and seed purification innovations, developed a 1.5 metre bottle gourd.
Raghuvir Khedkar (Maharashtra): Famous tamasha artiste
RS Goundar (Tamil Nadu): Veteran bronze sculptor with five decades of mastery
Rama Reddy (Telangana): For animal husbandry and dairy, famous for creating sustainable cooperatives.
SG Susheelamma (Karnataka): Social worker
Sangyusang Pongener (Nagaland): For preservation of indigenous Naga folk traditions.
Shafi Shauq (J&K): Authored, edited, and translated over 100 seminal works in Kashmiri, English, Urdu, and Hindi.
Shrirang Lad (Maharashtra): Farming and agriculture innovation
Seemanchal Patro (Odisha): Renowned Sakhi Nata folk theatre artiste
Suresh Hanagavadi (Karnataka): Veteran hematologist
Taga Ram Bheel (Rajasthan): Art for reviving Rajasthan's fading folk instrument Algoza.
Techi Gubin (Arunachal): Ensured the survival of the indigenous cultures of the Neshi people. Led people to hoist the Tricolour in 90 border villages.
Tripti Mukherjee (West Bengal): Famous for kantha
Vishwa Bandhu (Bihar): Folk dancer
Yamunam Jatra Singh (Manipur): Known as the dancing legend of Manipur, expanding the art even at the age of 100.
