Padma Awards:76th Republic Day Special: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes 2025
As India marks the 76th Republic Day, the Union government has released the first list of Padma Award winners, honoring extraordinary individuals whose contributions span art, culture, health, agriculture, social reform, and more. This year’s awards highlight the triumph of unsung heroes—a testament to resilience, creativity, and service.
From a 100-year-old freedom fighter to a para-archer with a historic Paralympic gold, and pioneers in fields as diverse as embroidery, environmental conservation, and traditional music, these recipients represent the spirit of India.
🏆 Meet the Extraordinary Padma Awardees
🎯 Harvinder Singh
- Nicknamed “Kaithal ka Eklavya”, Harvinder became the first Indian para-archer to win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
- Hailing from Kaithal, Haryana, his inspiring journey is a tribute to perseverance and hard work.
🛡️ Libia Lobo Sardesai
- A key figure in Goa’s freedom movement, Sardesai co-founded an underground radio station, Voz da Liberdade (Voice of Freedom), to mobilize resistance against Portuguese rule in 1955.
- Awarded the Padma Shri for her courage and vision.
🌱 L. Hangthing – Noklak’s Fruit Man
- A fruit farmer from Nagaland, Hangthing revolutionized agriculture by introducing non-native fruit varieties to over 200 farmers across 40 villages.
🩺 Neerja Bhatla
- A gynecologist from Delhi specializing in cervical cancer detection and prevention, Bhatla’s work has saved countless lives and raised awareness on women’s health.
🏹 Bhim Singh Bhavesh – Musahar ki Messiah
- A social worker from Bhojpur, Bhavesh has dedicated over 22 years to uplifting the marginalized Musahar community through his foundation Nayee Asha.
🥁 P. Datchanamoorthy – Thavil Maestro
- A veteran instrumentalist with over 50 years of expertise in Thavil, a classical percussion instrument crucial to South Indian music.
🌍 Diversity of Excellence
This year’s Padma Awards spotlight extraordinary stories:
- Jonas Masetti: A Brazilian engineer turned Hindu spiritual leader, spreading Indian philosophy globally.
- Hariman Sharma: Innovator of a low-chilling apple variety, HRMN 99, enabling apple cultivation in low-altitude regions.
- Shaikha A J Al Sabah: A Kuwaiti yoga practitioner who founded Daratma, Kuwait’s first licensed yoga studio, promoting global unity.
❓ Do Padma Awards Influence Public Perception of Achievers?
💬 Have your say! Vote in our poll:
- Yes, they bring national recognition.
- No, they need more grassroots visibility.
💡 Highlights from the Unsung Heroes
1️⃣ Nirmala Devi – Sujani Embroidery Pioneer
Revived Bihar’s Sujani embroidery, transforming it into a globally recognized art form over four decades.
2️⃣ Chaitram Devchand Pawar – Forest Conservationist
Planted over 5,000 trees and preserved 400 hectares of forest, safeguarding biodiversity in Maharashtra.
3️⃣ Gokul Chandra Das – Dhak Maestro
Broke gender barriers by training 150 women in Dhak playing, modernizing the traditional drum for inclusivity.
Padma Shri: India’s Fourth-Highest Civilian Award
Overview
The Padma Shri (IAST: Padma Śrī), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest civilian award in India, following the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan. Instituted on January 2, 1954, it is awarded by the Government of India annually on Republic Day to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in various fields, including arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service, and public affairs.
History and Significance
The Padma Awards were established in 1954 to honor Indian citizens for their exceptional contributions in diverse domains. Over time, the award has also been conferred upon non-Indian citizens who have significantly contributed to India’s development.
The selection process has faced criticism, with allegations that some highly deserving individuals have been overlooked in favor of others. To ensure transparency, India has introduced an online nomination system, allowing citizens to recommend candidates for the Padma Awards.
Design and Insignia
The obverse of the Padma Shri medal features the Sanskrit words Padma (meaning lotus) and Shri (an honorific meaning “Noble One in Blossom”) in Devanagari script. A lotus flower is prominently displayed in the center, with a symmetrical geometric pattern on either side in burnished bronze. The embossed elements are crafted in white gold.
As of 2025, a total of 3,448 individuals have received the Padma Shri. In 2025 alone, 113 recipients were honored with the award.
Declining and Returning the Award
Several notable figures have declined the Padma Shri for various reasons. Among them are musician Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee, sitar maestro Vilayat Khan, author Mamoni Raisom Goswami, journalist Kanak Sen Deka, and Bollywood screenwriter Salim Khan.
Some individuals, such as environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna and English billiards champion Michael Ferreira, initially refused the Padma Shri but later accepted a more prestigious award, such as the Padma Bhushan or Padma Vibhushan. Others, including filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma, author Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu,’ Punjabi writer Dalip Kaur Tiwana, and poet Jayanta Mahapatra, returned the honor after initially accepting it.
In 2022, veteran Bengali singer “Gitashri” Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, then 90 years old, declined the Padma Shri, believing that her eight-decade-long career merited a higher recognition. Her daughter remarked that the award was more suitable for a junior artist. Consequently, her name was omitted from the final list of Padma awardees that year.
Conclusion
India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, honours people who have made noteworthy contributions to a variety of sectors, such as the arts, sciences, literature, medicine, social service, and public affairs. Since its commencement in 1954, the award has honoured the accomplishments of hundreds of people whose work has improved society, including both Indian citizens and a few international nationals.
The Padma Shri has generated controversy despite its renown, with claims of partiality and criticism of the selection procedure. The government has responded by implementing an online nomination process to increase the selection’s transparency and inclusivity. Furthermore, a number of well-known figures have either refused or returned the honour, expressing discontent with the degree of recognition or personal reasons.
However, the Padma Shri remains a significant emblem of the nation’s admiration for achievement and commitment in a variety of fields. In addition to celebrating individual accomplishments, it motivates upcoming generations to pursue excellence in their disciplines. The award continues to be a symbol of India’s dedication to recognising and applauding talent, creativity, and societal service as the nation develops.
🗣️ Share Your Thoughts
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📢 Let’s celebrate their achievements together.
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