NEW DELHI: The Union government on Saturday released the first list of Padma Award winners on the eve of the 76th Republic Day celebrations. The list includes several unsung heroes, such as 100-year-old freedom fighter, a fruit farmer from Noklak, and a Paralympian, among others.
Among the awardees is Harvinder Singh, a para-archer from Kaithal, Haryana, known as “Kaithal ka Eklavya.” He became the first Indian to win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
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Libia Lobo Sardesai, a key figure in Goa’s freedom movement,who co-established an underground radio station called ‘Voz da Liberdade’ (Voice of Freedom) in a forested area in 1955 to mobilize people against Portuguese rule has also been awarded the Padma Shri.
The list also includes Neerja Bhatla, a Delhi-based gynecologist specializing in cervical cancer detection and prevention, who has been awarded the Padma Shri.
Bhim Singh Bhavesh, a social worker from Bhojpur, received the Padma Shri for his 22 years of work supporting the marginalized Musahar community through his foundation, Nayee Asha.
P Datchanamoorthy, an expert in the South Indian classical percussion instrument Thavil with over five decades of experience, has also been honored with the Padma Shri.
L Hangthing, a fruit farmer from Noklak, Nagaland, with more than 30 years of experience cultivating non-native fruits, has been recognized with the Padma Shri.
Here are some other names
Jagdish Joshila: Nimadi and Hindi author from Khargone of over 5 decades.
P Datchanamoorthy: Instrumentalist specializing in Thavil, a classical percussion instrument vital to South Indian music and culture, with more than 5 decades of experience.
Hugh and Colleen Gantzer: Husband and wife writer duo, recognized for their significant contributions to Indian travel journalism over 5 decades.
Jonas Masetti: A mechanical engineer turned Hindu Spiritual Leader from Brazil – promoted Indian spirituality, philosophy and culture.
Neerja Bhatla: A Delhi-based gynecologist specializing in cervical cancer detection and prevention.
Hariman Sharma: Apple Farmer from Bilaspur who developed a low-chilling apple variety ‘HRMN 99’ – which grows in low altitudes at 1,800 feet above sea level, making it a first-of-its-kind innovation.
Harvinder Singh: a para-archer from Kaithal.
Shaikha A J Al Sabah: Yoga Practitioner from Kuwait, who founded Daratma, Kuwait’s first licensed yoga studio.
Naren Gurung: Versatile Folk Artist from Gangtok devoted 60 years to preserve and promote Sikkimese Nepali folk music and dance traditions.
Bheru Singh Chouhan: Prolific Nirgun Folk Singer who has devoted over 5 decades to bhajan music.
Jumde Yomgam Gamlin: Tirelessly worked for deaddiction and social reform for local communities for last 3 decades.
Bhim Singh Bhavesh – Musahar ki Messiah: A dedicated social worker from Bhojpur, Bhavesh has been tirelessly working for the upliftment of the Musahar community for over 22 years through his foundation ‘Nayee Asha’.
L Hangthing – Noklak’s Fruit Man: A fruit farmer from Noklak, Nagaland, with 30 years of expertise in cultivating non-native fruits, Hangthing introduced saplings to over 200 farmers across 40 villages.
Shaikha A J Al Sabah – Yoga ki Shaikha: A yoga practitioner from Kuwait, Al Sabah founded Daratma, Kuwait’s first licensed yoga studio, promoting global unity by harmonizing traditional and modern yoga techniques.
Hariman Sharma – Seb Samrat: An apple farmer from Bilaspur, Sharma developed the HRMN 99 apple variety, which is resistant to scab disease and economically viable. Over 1 lakh farmers have adopted it across India and beyond.
Jumde Yomgam Gamlin – Nasha-mukti ki Nayika: A pioneer in deaddiction and social reform, Gamlin founded the NGO ‘Mothers Vision’ and led anti-drug campaigns, eradicating marijuana and opium cultivation in Geku and Katan regions.
Vilas Dangre – Humanitarian Homeopath: A visually impaired homeopathic doctor from Nagpur, Dangre has treated over 1 lakh patients at his clinic, providing care for economically weaker sections at nominal costs for over 50 years.
Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar – Gondhali ke Ghumantu Guru: A folk maestro from the Gondhali community, Sugatekar is known for his dedication to preserving Gondhali music and storytelling, with over 1,000 songs and 150 stories sung and narrated.
Nirmala Devi – Sujani ki Vaishwik Devi: Nirmala Devi, the pioneer of Sujani embroidery from Bihar, revived the art form over four decades and has popularized it globally, making it a Geographical Indication (GI) product.
Joynacharan Bathari – Joy of Dimasa: The 84-year-old flagbearer of Dimasa tribal folk music, Bathari has dedicated his life to preserving and propagating Dimasa musical traditions for over six decades.
Suresh Soni – Sabarkantha no Sahyojak: Founder of the Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust, Soni has dedicated over 36 years to the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients and the intellectually disabled in Sabarkantha.
Radha Bahin Bhatt – Gandhian of the Hills: An embodiment of Gandhian values, Bhatt has worked for women’s empowerment and child welfare, establishing 25 Bal Mandirs and helping 15,000 children from neglected hill areas.
Pandi Ram Mandavi – Muria ka Maan, Bastar ki Shaan: A master instrument maker from the Gond Muria tribe, Mandavi has been making the bamboo wind whistle ‘Sulur’ (Bastar flute) for over five decades, preserving tribal musical traditions.
Chaitram Devchand Pawar – Van ke Vanbandhu: A conservationist from Maharashtra, Pawar has conserved 400 hectares of forest and personally planted over 5,000 trees, preserving biodiversity and sheltering endangered species.
Vijayalakshmi Deshamane – Healing with Hope: A veteran oncologist from Kalaburagi, Deshamane has spent over four decades providing free cancer treatment and counseling to economically disadvantaged patients.
Parmar Lavjibhai Nagjibhai – Tanglaliyano Taran-har: A weaver from Surendranagar, Lavjibhai has dedicated his life to preserving the ancient Tangaliya weaving technique, promoting it among younger generations and globally.
Bhimavva Doddabalappa – Shillekyathara: An illiterate master puppeteer of Togalu Gombeyaata (leather shadow puppetry) from Karnataka, Bhimavva has been showcasing epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata for over 70 years.
Velu Aasaan – Prince of Percussion: A renowned artist in Tamil Nadu, Aasaan has worked to standardize and revive the traditional Parai Isai art form, performing on the Parai, a traditional percussion instrument.
Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli – Maharashtra ke Aranya Rishi: A celebrated conservationist from Solapur, Chitampalli has written over 20 books on forests, wildlife, and ornithology, deeply influencing the field of environmental conservation.
Sally Holkar – Holkar Weaver of Hope: An American-born social entrepreneur, Holkar revitalized the Maheshwari handloom industry in Khargone, blending traditional and modern designs to transform the craft into a globally acclaimed art form.
Gokul Chandra Das – Ma Durgor Dhaki Das: A Dhak player from North 24 Parganas, Das broke gender stereotypes by training over 150 women in Dhak playing and created a lightweight version of the traditional instrument to promote women’s participation.
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