Recently, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards 2025 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. These prestigious civilian honours are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, recognising exceptional contributions to the nation.
The awards span various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
This report highlights 20 unsung heroes honoured with the Padma Awards in 2025 for their remarkable societal contributions.
For the year 2025, the President of India has conferred a total of 139 Padma Awards. This includes 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. The list of awardees features a dual case (counted as one award), 13 posthumous recipients, 10 foreigners/NRIs/PIOs/OCIs, and 23 women.
Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid: Honouring Vedic wisdom
Shri Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, a revered Vedic scholar and astrologer from Ramnagar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has been bestowed with the Padma Shri in the category of Literature and Education. At 71 years old, Shastri Dravid is recognised for his profound commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich Vedic heritage. His tireless efforts have significantly contributed to the advancement of Vedic learning across the nation.
Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara: Keeping puppetry alive
From Karnataka, 96-year-old Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara has been awarded the Padma Shri in the field of Art. She is celebrated as a true torchbearer for Togalu Gombeyaata, the traditional shadow puppetry of Karnataka. President Droupadi Murmu presented her with this prestigious honour, acknowledging her invaluable contributions to the artistic landscape.
Stephen Knapp: Bridging cultures through Vedic wisdom
American author and researcher Shri Stephen Knapp has been recognised with the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to Literature and Education. Based in the US, Knapp has dedicated his work to helping people worldwide understand the profound spiritual depth of India, particularly through his writings on Vedic culture and spirituality. This prestigious award, presented by President Droupadi Murmu, highlights his impactful role in sharing India’s ancient knowledge with a global audience.
Vinod Dham: The architect of the Pentium Chip, honoured for tech leadership
Vinod Dham, the celebrated Indian-American engineer often hailed as the “Father of the Pentium chip,” has been awarded the Padma Bhushan in the category of Science and Engineering. Born in Pune in 1950, Dham’s illustrious career began in 1971 as a researcher at Banaras Hindu University before he moved to the US to study colloid chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He later joined Intel in 1979, a then-nascent semiconductor company, where he made his groundbreaking contributions. His recognition with the Padma Bhushan stems from his ongoing role as a vital advisor, actively supporting the Indian government’s ambitious efforts to establish domestic chip manufacturing capabilities.
Maruti Chitampalli: “Aranya Rishi” honoured for forest wisdom
Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli, affectionately known as “Aranya Rishi” (The Forest Sage), has been bestowed with the Padma Shri for his remarkable contributions to literature, education, and wildlife conservation. This 92-year-old retired forest officer from Nagpur, Maharashtra, has uniquely captured the essence of nature through his literary works, including acclaimed dictionaries focused on birds, animals, and trees. His debut book, Pakshi Jaay Digantara (1981), was an immediate success, marking the beginning of a prolific literary career where he transformed Maharashtra’s forests into an expansive classroom and its untamed landscapes into poignant poetry.
Subhash Khetulal Sharma: A champion of natural farming receives Padma Shri
From Yavatmal, Maharashtra, 73-year-old farmer Subhash Khetulal Sharma has been recognised with the Padma Shri in the Agriculture category. He is lauded for his pioneering efforts in reviving natural farming methods, specifically aimed at counteracting the detrimental effects of excessive chemical farming. Sharma has successfully transformed his 16-acre farm into a shining example of sustainable agriculture. His diverse cultivation practices include growing pumpkins, groundnuts, pigeon peas, turmeric, and various horticultural crops during the rainy season, and then shifting to radish, fenugreek, coriander, and tomatoes in the winter months.
Libia Lobo Sardesai: A century of service and freedom honoured with Padma Shri
Goa’s venerable Libia Lobo Sardesai, a 100-year-old freedom fighter, has been recognised with the Padma Shri for her profound contributions to Social Work. This award celebrates her unwavering dedication to freedom, justice, and community service throughout her lifetime. From her college days, Sardesai was deeply immersed in the Goan nationalist movement, playing a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence, particularly in her home state. Not only is she celebrated as Goa’s first woman advocate, but she has also been a passionate champion for women’s empowerment and consumer awareness. A truly historic moment in her life occurred on December 19, 1961, when she famously declared the people of Goa free over her radio station, ‘Voz da Liberdade’ (Voice of Freedom).
Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram: Kerala’s cardiac visionary receives Padma Bhushan
Kerala’s distinguished cardio-thoracic surgeon, Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram, has been awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan in the Medicine category. This honour acknowledges his significant and transformative contributions to the medical field, particularly within Kerala. Dr. Periappuram humbly credits the collective efforts behind Kerala’s remarkable healthcare progress for this recognition, underscoring his integral role in advancing medical care in the state.
Sadhvi Ritambhara: Padma Bhushan for social service and cultural preservation
Sadhvi Ritambhara, hailing from Ludhiana, Punjab, has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan in the Social Work category. This prestigious award recognises her profound contributions, particularly her pivotal role in the Ram Mandir movement, alongside her efforts to uphold spirituality, culture, civilisation, and national values. As the guiding force behind Vatsalya Gram, a prominent social organisation, Sadhvi Ritambhara has demonstrated a deep commitment to societal welfare and cultural preservation, earning her this significant national acknowledgement.
Syed Ainul Hasan: A scholar’s Padma Shri for bridging cultures
Syed Ainul Hasan, a distinguished scholar from Hyderabad, has been conferred with the Padma Shri for his exceptional work in Literature and Education. As the current Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad and a former professor of Persian & Central Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, he brings over three decades of invaluable experience in teaching and research. His recognition highlights his significant contributions to fostering stronger Indo-Iran and Indo-Afghan relations, underscoring his role in promoting cross-cultural understanding through academic pursuits.
Jumde Yomgam Gamlin: Padma Shri for dedication to de-addiction
Jumde Yomgam Gamlin, a 59-year-old social worker from West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, has been honoured with the Padma Shri for her outstanding contributions in social work. Her recognition specifically highlights her leadership in spearheading crucial drug de-addiction and rehabilitation initiatives within her district. Gamlin is the visionary founder of Mother’s Vision, an NGO that operates a 30-bedded, spirituality-based de-addiction and rehabilitation centre, providing vital support to those battling addiction.
Mahavir Nayak: Jharkhand’s musical custodian receives Padma Shri
Jharkhand’s celebrated Mahavir Nayak, known as the “king of Bhinsariya Raga” and a prominent interpreter of typical Nagpuri songs, has been awarded the Padma Shri in the Art & Culture category. This honour acknowledges his profound work in preserving and promoting Jharkhand’s rich musical heritage and culture. With a career spanning over 50 years, Nayak has been performing traditional Nagpuri songs since 1962, earning widespread recognition in Jharkhand for his mastery of “Bhinsariya raga, Faguwa, Pawas, and Mardani Jhumar ragas” in the Nagpuri language. He joins the esteemed ranks of other Jharkhand artists, Mukund Nayak and Madhu Mansuri Hansmukh, who have previously received the Padma Shri.
Anant Nag: A cinematic luminary honoured with Padma Bhushan
A highly respected figure in Indian cinema, Shri Anant Nag from Karnataka has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan in the Art & Culture category. This prestigious award acknowledges his profound and lasting impact on the film industry, particularly his exceptional work in Kannada cinema. Nag’s career has been marked by a significant artistic contribution, solidifying his status as a cinematic icon.
Harvinder Singh: Trailblasing para-archer makes history with Padma Shri
Harvinder Singh, a 34-year-old para-archer from Haryana and a gold medalist at the Paris Paralympics 2024, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first para-archer to receive the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. Singh’s remarkable victory in Paris, where he defeated Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek with a dominant 6-0 straight-set win in the gold medal match, marks his second consecutive Paralympic medal, following his bronze in recurve para-archery at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020. This recognition underscores his pioneering achievements and inspiration in para-sports.
Bheru Singh Chouhan: Padma Shri for Malwa’s voice of folk and reform
At 63, Bheru Singh Chouhan, the soul-stirring folk singer from Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, has been awarded the Padma Shri 2025. This honor, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, recognises his invaluable contributions to both the field of folk music and social reform. Deeply embedded in the Nirgun bhakti tradition and drawing inspiration from the timeless verses of Sant Kabir, Bheru Singh’s life and music powerfully echo core values of simplicity, service, and spiritual awakening. Expressing his emotion upon receiving the award, he stated, “I got emotional after hearing that a small person from a small village was getting the Padma Shri.”
Farooq Ahmad Mir: Padma Shri for revitalising Kani shawl weaving
Farooq Ahmad Mir, a celebrated Kashmiri shawl weaver, has been honoured with the Padma Shri in the category of Art and Literature. He’s widely acclaimed for revolutionising the traditional Kani weaving technique. Shri Mir’s ingenuity has not only simplified intricate weaving processes but also introduced innovative designs, including the beautiful integration of Hindi, Urdu, and Sanskrit calligraphy into his exquisite shawls, thus breathing new life into this ancient craft.
Bhim Singh Bhavesh: The “Messiah of Musahars” awarded Padma Shri for social upliftment
Bhim Singh Bhavesh, affectionately known as the ‘Messiah’ of the Musahar community in Bhojpur, Bihar, has been selected for the Padma Shri award in Social Work. Bhavesh has dedicated his life to the education and social upliftment of those at the very lowest rung of society. Through his organisation, Nayi Asha, he tirelessly works in a dozen Musahar Tolas across the district, striving to improve their living conditions and educational access. His remarkable efforts have, to date, helped over eight thousand Musahar children enrol in school.
Hariman Sharma: “Apple Man of India” receives Padma Shri for agricultural innovation
Shri Hariman Sharma, a visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh, often hailed as the “Apple Man of India,” has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri in the Agriculture category. This honour recognises his groundbreaking work in revolutionising Indian agriculture, specifically his development of the ‘HRMN 99’ apple variety. This unique innovation can flourish at altitudes as low as 1,800 feet and exhibits strong resistance to scab, a common disease that plagues apple crops. The ‘HRMN 99’ has gained popularity not only within India but also in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Zambia, and Germany.
Chef Damodharan: Culinary maestro honoured with Padma Shri
Chef Damodharan, widely known as “Damu” and a beloved judge on the popular television show ‘Cooku with Comali’, has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri for his outstanding contributions to the culinary arts. Renowned for his deep expertise in South Indian cuisine, Chef Damodharan is celebrated for his commitment to preserving traditional cooking techniques. His efforts have been pivotal in showcasing authentic Indian flavors on the global stage.
Kamalakshi Omanakutty Amma: A musical legacy honoured with Padma Shri
Kamalakshi Omanakutty Amma, an eminent Carnatic vocalist, revered music teacher, and accomplished academic from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has been honoured with the Padma Shri. A household name among music enthusiasts in Kerala, she brings nearly 40 years of experience to the field of music. Omanakutty Amma has served as a distinguished professor and Head of the Department of Music at the University of Kerala. Beyond her academic roles, she has performed over 300 music concerts and taken special initiative to popularise the compositions of the erstwhile Travancore king, Swathi Thirunal.
These 20 awardees exemplify the true spirit of the Padma Awards, recognising individuals who have worked tirelessly, often away from the limelight, to uplift communities, preserve traditions, and inspire change. Their stories reflect India’s immense diversity and the quiet strength of its unsung heroes. As the nation applauds their achievements, these recognitions not only honour past contributions but also serve as a beacon for future generations to follow in their footsteps.
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