Padma awards: Celebrating unsung heroes, grassroots leaders

The word 'Padma' in Sanskrit means 'lotus,' symbolising purity and beauty that thrives in murky waters. This imagery is central to the Padma awards, established in 1954 to recognise exceptional contributions in art, literature, science, medicine, and public affairs.

- Satnam Singh Sandhu

The word 'Padma' in Sanskrit means 'lotus,' symbolising purity and beauty that thrives in murky waters. This imagery is central to the Padma awards, established in 1954 to recognise exceptional contributions in art, literature, science, medicine, and public affairs. However, for years, the awards were often dominated by high-profile, privileged individuals, overshadowing true grassroots change-makers. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the process has transformed positively, prioritising deserving recipients.

Recognition for 'unsung heroes'
In 2016, the Modi government democratised the Padma awards by opening nominations to all citizens, unlike the past practice where only Union ministers, chief ministers, governors, MPs, previous recipients, and key figures could nominate. This move enhanced the awards' prestige, recognising ordinary individuals making extraordinary contributions to society.

Additionally, a new 'unsung heroes' category was introduced to honour those who've served the poor or excelled despite challenges. The 2025 Padma list of 139 awardees highlights such unsung heroes, from doctors and folk singers to farmers and social workers.

No surprise, while only a few states accounted for most of the awardees in the past, 33 states and Union territories have got representation in this year's awards. In 2025, over 50,000 nominations were received annually, an increase of over 20 times from the 2,200 nominations in 2014.

Minority recognised
A record 18 individuals from minority communities have been named for the Padma awards this year. The list includes seven Sikhs, four Muslims, four Christians, two Buddhists and a Jain.