India’s highest civilian honors, the Padma Shri awards, have consistently recognised remarkable individuals dedicated to the upliftment and welfare of tribal communities across the nation. These unsung heroes have tirelessly worked at the grassroots level, implementing initiatives that span education, healthcare, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment, significantly contributing to the holistic development of tribal populations.
This report shines a light on the remarkable contributions of 16 Padma Shri awardees honored between 2018 and 2025, each a testament to the profound impact of dedicated grassroots work in tribal welfare across India. These inspiring individuals have devoted years to uplifting remote tribal communities, driving lasting change through their efforts in crucial areas such as education, health, securing land rights, and cultural revival.
Jumde Yomgam Gamlin’s battle against addiction in Arunachal Pradesh
Jumde Yomgam Gamlin, a dedicated social worker from West Siang district, was awarded the Padma Shri for her exceptional contributions to tribal social work. In 2013, she founded the NGO “Mother’s Vision”, establishing a crucial 30-bed de-addiction and rehabilitation center in Aalo.
Gamlin’s tireless efforts through her NGO have transformed lives, helping over 700 individuals recover from addiction in Arunachal’s West Siang district. Beyond rehabilitation, she has spearheaded campaigns to curb illegal drug cultivation and empowered more than 2,000 women through vital skill training and financial awareness programs. Her work has brought hope and healing to many in the Galo tribal community.
Jageshwar Yadav honoured for uplifting Chhattisgarh’s Birhor tribe
Jageshwar Yadav, a grassroots tribal activist from Bhithghara village in Jashpur district, was awarded the Padma Shri for his profound and long-standing commitment to the Birhor tribal community. Since 1980, Yadav has run an ashram in Jashpur, dedicating himself to improving the lives of the Birhor people.
His decades of work have significantly impacted the Birhor tribe’s access to education, with many children attending school for the very first time. Yadav has also organised numerous health camps, raising medical awareness and dramatically reducing child mortality rates. By earning the trust of the Birhor community, he has successfully connected them with essential government support, facilitating their integration and development.
Yanung Jamoh Lego revives Adi tribal healing in Arunachal Pradesh
Yanung Jamoh Lego, a distinguished herbal medicine expert from East Siang district, received the Padma Shri for her invaluable efforts in preserving and reviving the traditional healing practices of the Adi tribe.
Lego’s pioneering work has made traditional Adi healing accessible and affordable for people in remote areas, offering a vital alternative to conventional medicine through herbal treatments. She has actively promoted the cultivation of home herbal gardens, ensured the preservation of invaluable tribal knowledge, and instilled a deep sense of pride in indigenous culture among her community. Her dedication safeguards not just ancient wisdom, but also the health and cultural heritage of the Adi people.
Somanna Honoured for securing land rights of tribals in Karnataka
Somanna, a former bonded laborer and a member of the Jenu Kuruba tribe from Mysuru, received the Padma Shri for his lifelong dedication to tribal rights. For over 40 years, Somanna tirelessly worked to secure land titles for more than 500 tribal families, actively campaigning against forced displacement and advocating for stronger forest and environmental protections. His efforts have been instrumental in safeguarding the homes and livelihoods of these families, raising awareness about education, and connecting tribal communities to essential government support for long-term stability.
Dukhu Majhi honoured for five decades of afforestation in Purulia tribal region
Dukhu Majhi, a tribal environmentalist from Purulia district, was awarded the Padma Shri for his remarkable commitment to afforestation. For over 50 years, Majhi has been tirelessly planting and nurturing trees in barren and drought-prone areas, particularly focusing on restoring green cover in the Ayodhya Hills region. His work has revitalised barren land, improved soil and water quality, positively impacted the local climate, supported rural livelihoods through forest produce, and significantly raised environmental awareness within tribal communities.
Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme honoured for work with Zeliangrong Heraka community in Assam
Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme, a retired Education Officer from Dima Hasao district, was conferred with the Padma Shri for his dedicated service to the Zeliangrong Heraka tribal community. Newme has been a pivotal figure in promoting the Heraka religion, actively supporting girls’ education, and transcribing sacred texts to preserve cultural heritage. Furthermore, his efforts have played a crucial role in fostering peace and understanding between the Naga and Dimasa communities in the region.
Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar honoured with Padma Shri for saving the Jarawa Tribe in Andamans
Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar, a compassionate physician from West Bengal, was awarded the Padma Shri for his pivotal role in saving the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman Islands from near extinction. From 1998 onwards, he tirelessly battled a deadly measles outbreak that swept through the isolated tribe in 1999. Dr. Kar’s dedication provided consistent medical care, and he even set up a dedicated hospital ward, ensuring vital healthcare and protection for this vulnerable community. His efforts built crucial rapport, founded on deep respect for their culture, as he treated over a hundred patients during the epidemic, averting a catastrophe.
Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi honoured with Padma Shri for uplifting Gujarat’s Siddi community
Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi, a remarkable Siddi tribal woman from Jambur village in Junagadh, was honored with the Padma Shri for her unwavering dedication to her community. She received the award for her impactful work, notably founding the Mahila Vikas Foundation. Through her foundation, Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi has empowered Siddi women by facilitating the opening of bank accounts and helping them establish farming ventures for income generation. She has also set up pre-schools to support early education for tribal children, guiding her community toward greater self-reliance.
Ajay Kumar Mandavi honoured with Padma Shri for promoting tribal wood art and rehabilitation in Chhattisgarh
Ajay Kumar Mandavi, a talented wood artist and trainer from Kanker district, received the Padma Shri for his exceptional work. He has dedicated himself to the Gond tribal community, promoting traditional wood carving and preserving tribal craftsmanship through his artistic endeavors and training programmes. Mandavi’s efforts extend beyond art, as he has also provided valuable skill training to over 400 jail inmates in Chhattisgarh. His work supports not only cultural preservation but also rehabilitation and emotional healing through the transformative power of art and counseling.
Ramilaben Raysingbhai Gamit honoured with Padma Shri for transforming tribal villages in Gujarat
Gamit Ramilaben Raysingbhai, a dedicated tribal social worker from Taparwada village in Tapi district, was awarded the Padma Shri for her outstanding contributions to tribal welfare among the Gamit Bhil community. Her impactful work includes making nine villages open defecation free by overseeing the construction of over 700 toilets, significantly improving health and hygiene standards. She also established 162 women’s self-help groups, providing tribal women with access to government schemes and crucial financial support. Furthermore, she tirelessly raised awareness on health issues and offered vital support to widows and families during the pandemic.
Birubala Rabha honoured with Padma Shri for fighting witch hunting in Assam’s Rabha tribal community
Birubala Rabha from Goalpara district was awarded the Padma Shri for her relentless and courageous efforts to combat the heinous practice of witch hunting in tribal and rural areas of Assam. Rabha’s sustained campaigns to spread awareness and fight superstition have been instrumental in ending this harmful practice. Her tireless advocacy led to the enactment of a state law against witch hunting, empowering countless women to speak out and seek justice, fundamentally transforming lives within the Rabha tribal community and beyond.
Sangkhumi Bualchhuak honored with Padma Shri for advancing gender justice in Mizoram
Sangkhumi Bualchhuak, a former public servant, was awarded the Padma Shri for her exceptional leadership in women’s rights and social activism within Mizoram. As President of the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), her work has profoundly empowered Mizo women. She played a pivotal role in helping pass fair marriage and inheritance laws, making legal rights accessible in the Mizo language, and significantly strengthening women’s voices through the MHIP platform across Mizoram. Her efforts have been instrumental in ushering in a new era of gender justice for the Mizo tribe.
Kamali Soren honoured with Padma Shri for uplifting Santhal tribal community in West Bengal
Kamali Soren, affectionately known as “Guru Maa” from Kotalhati village, was awarded the Padma Shri for her dedicated work with the Santhal tribal community. Through her association with the All India Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, she has been a tireless advocate, actively intervening in child marriages and providing crucial grassroots social support. Soren’s efforts have not only helped stop child marriages but also supported women in difficult situations and promoted vital awareness about health and social issues. Through her ashram, she has significantly strengthened community bonds and encouraged better living practices in tribal villages.
Radha Mohan and Sabarmatee honoured with Padma Shri for green mission empowering tribals in Odisha
The remarkable father-daughter duo, Radha Mohan and Sabarmatee, were jointly awarded the Padma Shri for their exceptional environmental and tribal welfare work. These conservationists have worked closely with tribal communities in the Nayagarh district of Odisha, transforming barren land into thriving organic “food forests.” Their initiatives have successfully restored soil fertility and local biodiversity, while also empowering tribal farmers by training them in organic methods and preserving over 700 varieties of traditional seeds. Their vital seed bank and water conservation techniques further support sustainable farming practices, benefiting the Munda tribe and other local communities.
Kamala Pujari receives Padma Shri for organic farming efforts uplifting tribal communities in Odisha
Kamala Pujari, a tribal farmer from Patraput village, was awarded the Padma Shri for her groundbreaking efforts in promoting organic farming among tribal communities. Working closely with various tribal groups, particularly the Bhumia tribe, she has tirelessly encouraged the use of indigenous seeds and natural farming methods. Pujari’s work has enabled tribal farmers to adopt sustainable organic practices, significantly reduce their dependence on chemical inputs, and preserve traditional seeds. Furthermore, she has empowered tribal women through local groups, leading to improved awareness and enhanced livelihoods within the community.
Digambar Hansda honoured with Padma Shri for promoting Santhali language and tribal education in Jharkhand
Digambar Hansda, a distinguished Santhali scholar from Karandih, received the Padma Shri for his lifelong dedication to tribal education and literature. He played a pivotal role in promoting the Santhali language, actively working to integrate it into schools and colleges. Hansda also instrumental in establishing educational institutions in tribal areas, effectively bringing Santhal culture into the academic space. His tireless efforts have significantly improved literacy rates and strengthened cultural identity among the Santhal community in Jharkhand.
The stories of these 16 Padma Shri awardees from 2018 to 2025 paint a vivid picture of India’s profound commitment to tribal welfare. From fighting addiction in Arunachal Pradesh with Jumde Yomgam Gamlin, to securing land rights in Karnataka with Somanna, and preserving ancient healing traditions with Yanung Jamoh Lego, these individuals embody grassroots change.
Their tireless work, often in challenging conditions, spans critical areas like education, healthcare, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and gender justice. Figures like Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar, who saved the Jarawa tribe, or Dukhu Majhi, who transformed barren lands, showcase a holistic approach to upliftment. These Padma Shri honorees are not just recipients of an award; they are living examples of how sustained, compassionate effort can bring lasting positive change to India’s diverse and invaluable tribal communities. Their contributions serve as an inspiring testament to the power of dedicated service.
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