The awardees include people who have dedicated their lives to serving society in areas such as education, healthcare, art, culture, and social welfare
The awardees represent a wide range of communities. File Pic/PIB
On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, 45 people including an ex-bus conductor and musician from across India have been selected for the Padma Shri award under the “unsung heroes” category, officials said, reported the PTI.
The awardees include people who have dedicated their lives to serving society in areas such as education, healthcare, art, culture, and social welfare.
One of the most notable recipients is Anke Gowda, a former bus conductor from Karnataka. He founded Pustak Mane, the world’s largest free-access library, housing more than two million books in 20 languages, including rare manuscripts. His initiative has empowered learners across the country and earned him the Padma Shri, according to the PTI.
Another recipient is Dr Armida Fernandes, a Mumbai-based paediatrician who established Asia’s first human milk bank. Her work has significantly improved the survival chances of infants, especially those in critical condition.
Celebrating cultural heritage
The awards also recognise individuals preserving India’s rich cultural heritage, such as Bhagwandas Raikwar, a Bundeli war art trainer from Madhya Pradesh, Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda, a 90-year-old tribal musician from Maharashtra who plays the Tarpa, a rare instrument made of bottle gourd and bamboo and Brij Lal Bhat, a social worker from Jammu and Kashmir, as per the PTI.
Supporting education and tribal languages
Other notable awardees include -
- Budri Thati, who established schools in Naxal-affected regions of Chhattisgarh
- Charan Hembram, a Santhali author and composer from Odisha
- Chiranji Lal Yadav, a skilled brass engraving expert from Moradabad
- Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya, an exponent of Maanbhatt, a traditional Gujarati art form
- Kumarasamy Thangharaj, a geneticist from Hyderabad who traced human migration from Africa to India
Honouring diverse and marginalised communities
The awardees represent a wide range of communities, including marginalised and Dalit groups, tribal populations, and individuals from remote and challenging terrains. Many have faced personal hardships but continued to serve society through healthcare, education, livelihood, sanitation and sustainability efforts.
Preserving traditional arts and crafts
Other awardees include K Pajanivel from Puducherry, recognised for nurturing Silambam, an ancient Tamil martial art, Kailash Chandra Pant, a veteran journalist honoured for promoting Hindi across India, Khem Raj Sundriyal from Haryana, who revived traditional weaving techniques such as tapestry, Jamdani, and Panipat khes, training thousands of artisans and introducing new designs and yarn, the news agency reported.
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