Mumbai-Based Paediatrician, 90-Year-Old Tarpa Player Among Padma Awards’ ‘Unsung Heroes’: Report

The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, were announced on the eve of Republic Day, recognising individuals for exceptional and distinguished service across diverse fields. This year’s list highlights “ordinary Indians with extraordinary contributions,” including Mumbai-based paediatrician Armida Fernandes from Maharashtra, honoured for her pioneering work in child healthcare, and Mohan Nagar from Madhya Pradesh, recognised for his efforts in environmental conservation, NDTV reported.

The awards are conferred in three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. As many as 45 individuals from across the country have been selected for the Padma Shri in the ‘unsung heroes’ category. According to NDTV, many awardees come from marginalised backgrounds, including Backward and Dalit communities, tribal groups and people from remote regions, who have overcome personal hardships to serve society.

Armida Fernandes was awarded for setting up Asia’s first human milk bank, a landmark initiative that has significantly improved infant survival rates. Mohan Nagar’s work in environmental conservation has focused on protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable practices at the grassroots level, earning him national recognition.

The recipients have contributed across sectors such as healthcare, education, sanitation, sustainability and livelihood generation, with a strong focus on Divyangjan, women, children, Dalits and tribal communities. Their work ranges from addressing local health challenges and pioneering medical initiatives to preserving indigenous culture, protecting ecology, reviving traditional arts and promoting cleanliness and social welfare, NDTV reported.

Other notable awardees include Anke Gowda from Karnataka, a former bus conductor who established ‘Pustak Mane’, the world’s largest free-access library with over two million books in 20 languages, and Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai from Gujarat, who received the honour in the field of art. The list also features Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda, a 90-year-old tribal Tarpa player from Maharashtra, and Brij Lal Bhat, a prominent social worker from Jammu and Kashmir, NDTV reported.

List of Padma awardees this year:

• Anke Gowda

• Armida Fernandez

• Bhagwandas Raikwar

• Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda

• Brij Lal Bhat

• Budhri Tati

• Charan Hembram

• Chiranji Lal Yadav

• Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya

• Gafruddin Mewati Jogi

• Hally War

• Inderjit Singh Sidhu

• K Pajanivel

• Kailash Chandra Pant

• Khem Raj Sundriyal

• Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G

• Kumarasamy Thangaraj

• Mahendra Kumar Mishra

• Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai

• Mohan Nagar

• Naresh Chandra Dev Varma

• Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala

• Nuruddin Ahmed

• Othuvar Thiruthani Swaminathan

• Padma Gurmet

• Pokhila Lekthepi

• Punniamurthy Natesan

• R Krishnan

• Raghupat Singh

• Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar

• Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar

• Rama Reddy Mamidi

• Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole

• S G Susheelamma

• Sangyusang S Pongener

• Shafi Shauq

• Shrirang Devaba Lad

• Shyam Sundar

• Simanchal Patro

• Suresh Hanagavadi

• Taga Ram Bheel

• Techi Gubin

• Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam

• Vishwa Bandhu

• Yumnam Jatra Singh

Earlier in the day, 982 personnel from the Police, Fire Services, Home Guards, Civil Defence and Correctional Services were awarded gallantry and service medals ahead of Republic Day 2026, NDTV reported.