Each year, various people receive the Padma Awards – civilian honours conferred upon Indians and foreigners for rendering a variety of services to the Republic of India. The Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awards are declared on 26 January each year. Apart from the Bharat Ratna, these are India’s highest civilian (nonmilitary) awards. We look at some of the more colourful and interesting of the recipients: little known people who have the courage of their convictions; who make it their mission to make a difference to their communities.
The Pandavani folk singer from Chhattisgarh who performs scenes from the Mahabharat received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan previously and now the Padma Vibhushan. In her own inimitable way, she has made her art form known in India and abroad. Belonging to a scheduled tribe, she has come a long way from the time when she was expelled from the community at age 12 for being a woman who chose to perform the Pandvani.
A social worker from a small village close to Madurai became famous when the then PM A B Vajpayee had touched her feet. Her farmers’ microcredit initiative changed the lives of many poor people.
He is the last in his family to practice this traditional art of intricate fabric painting. The art of Rogan painting has been with the family for eight generations and is now receiving recognition. One such painting was presented to Barack Obama, then President of the United States during his visit to India.
Prof Rohini Godbole is a particle physicist and has worked for the at CERN. She is best known for her work on particle colliders and her research into the composition of the universe. Prof Sharada Srinivasan is an archeologist known for her important work with ancient metallurgy traditions of India.
He gets a Padma award for his pioneering work in rabies medications. Not only has his research drastically brought down the cost of treatment it also saves time and lives. As such it is recommended by the WHO.
She is a tribal woman from Koraput district who gained fame for preserving endangered species of plants and by promoting organic farming. She has received international awards and was also appointed as one of the new members of the Odisha state planning board.
He runs a tea stall, but whatever small amount he earns he makes sure that there is enough to finance the education of 80 kids. He himself didn’t get to finish schooling, but he makes sure that other kids are not denied the opportunity.
Uddhab Kumar Bharali
He is an inventor extraordinaire; credited with about 118 inventions of all sorts, including a pomegranate de-seeder, machines to feed the disabled, slippers for knees, cleaners and de-weeders for amputees and more. This grassroots innovator perhaps best exemplifies the Indian spirit of creating solutions whenever and wherever problems are found. Using the fewest of resources, people such as Bharali manage to give us solutions that are both workable and cost effective.
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