Several unsung heroes among 139 Padma awardees

NEW DELHI On Saturday, 25 January 2025, the Central government announced the names of 139 persons for the prestigious Padma Awards ahead of Republic Day on Sunday, 26 January.

- TIKAM SHARMA

Among the recipients are several unsung heroes, including a 100-year-old freedom fighter from Goa, a dhak player from West Bengal who has trained 150 women in a traditionally male-dominated field, and India's first woman puppeteer.

The Padma Awards, considered India's highest civilian honours, are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. They are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (for distinguished service of a high order), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service). For 2025, the President has approved 139 Padma Awards, including one duo case (where the award is counted as one). The list features 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the recipients are 23 women, 10 individuals from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 13 posthumous awardees. The awards honour achievements across diverse fields involving public service and are conferred by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted annually by the Prime Minister.

Among the Pdma Vibhushan awardees are Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine); Justice (Retd.) Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs); Kumudini Lakhia (Art); Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) Trade and Industry Japan Among the Padma Bhushan awardees are A.

Surya Prakash (Literature and Education, Journalism); Anant Nag (Art); Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) (Literature and Education); Nandamuri Balakrishna (Art); P.R. Sreejesh (Sports); Sadhvi Ritambhara (Social Work); Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) (Public Affairs).