The Union government has announced that it will honor 113 individuals with the Padma Shri awards for their exceptional contributions to various fields. Among the awardees, 30 unsung heroes will receive recognition for their remarkable achievements, ranging from arts and culture to sports and social work.
The Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, honors those who have made significant contributions to society, often in fields not widely celebrated. This year, several individuals who have dedicated their lives to uplifting communities and preserving heritage have been selected.
One notable recipient is Libia Lobo Sardesai, a 102-year-old freedom fighter who played a crucial role in Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule. Lobo co-founded the underground radio station ‘Voz Da Liberdade’ with her husband in 1955, broadcasting pro-independence messages during a time of strict colonial control. In addition to her role in Goa’s freedom struggle, Lobo became the first female lawyer in Goa and contributed to the development of the state’s tourism industry as its first tourism director.
Para-archer Harvinder Singh, 33, will also receive the Padma Shri for his outstanding achievements in archery. Singh, known as “Kaithal ka Eklavya,” won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He also holds the title of World No. 1 in the Recurve Men Open discipline, making him a trailblazer in Indian para-sports.
Yoga practitioner Shaikha AJ Al Sabah, 48, will be honored for her efforts to promote yoga in Kuwait. Al Sabah founded the country’s first licensed yoga studio and has been instrumental in spreading the discipline across the Gulf region. Another international recipient, Jonas Masetti, 43, a Brazil-based mechanical engineer turned Hindu spiritual leader, will also receive the Padma Shri for his work in promoting Indian spirituality and culture in Brazil.
Several individuals will receive honors for their contributions to traditional and folk music in the realm of arts. Among them is Sally Holkar, 82, a social entrepreneur from Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, who revitalized the 300-year-old Maheshwari handloom industry. Naren Gurung, 70, from Gangtok, will receive recognition for promoting Sikkimese-Nepali folk music and dance traditions. Additionally, Pandi Ram Mandavi, 68, a master instrument maker from the Gond Muria tribe in Chhattisgarh, and Bheru Singh Chouhan, 63, a Nirgun folk singer from Madhya Pradesh, will receive honors for their dedication to preserving indigenous music traditions.
Other notable artists include Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar, 81, from Karnataka, a prominent Gondhali folk musician, and P Datchanamoorthy, 68, an instrumentalist from Puducherry specializing in the Thavil. Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara, 96, a master puppeteer from Karnataka, and Joynacharan Bathari, 84, a prominent Dimasa tribal folk musician from Assam, will also receive recognition for their decades of work in traditional arts.
The list of awardees also includes individuals who have made significant contributions in social work, healthcare, and education. Noteworthy recipients include Neerja Bhatla, a Delhi-based gynecologist who specializes in cervical cancer prevention; Bhim Singh Bhavesh, a social worker from Bhojpur; and Vilas Dangre, a visually impaired homeopathic doctor from Maharashtra, who has been serving economically disadvantaged patients for over 50 years.
This year’s Padma Shri awardees highlight the diverse fields in which individuals have made lasting impacts, showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication across the nation. These unsung heroes, among others, have demonstrated immense perseverance and commitment to their communities, and their contributions have shaped India’s social and cultural fabric.
