Before Republic Day, the central government proudly announced this Saturday the distinguished names being awarded the Padma Awards for 2025. Included in the list are several unsung and remarkable Padma Award recipients, such as the yoga trainer from Kuwait and the Apple King, Hariman. Indeed, the Padma Awards, among the highest civilian honors in the country, are bestowed in three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognize excellence across various fields like arts, social work, public affairs, science, engineering, business, industry, medicine, literature, education, sports, and civil services.
These Unseen Faces Will Be Honored With Padma Shri:
Sheikh A J Al Sabah (The Sheikh of Yoga)
Al Sabah, a yoga practitioner from Kuwait, established 'Daratm', the country's first licensed yoga studio. By synchronizing traditional techniques with modern methods, Al Sabah has promoted yoga practice throughout the Gulf region, fostering a sense of global unity. Launching the first yoga teaching license in Kuwait allowed official recognition for yoga practice. She co-founded Shems Youth Yoga, offering a comprehensive program for children from ages 0 to 14. In 2021, she launched Youmank lil Yemen, a fundraiser aiding Yemeni refugees and internally displaced persons. During the pandemic in 2020, she provided educational resources to underprivileged children in Kuwait. Sheikh A J Al Sabah, aged 48, will be honored with the Padma Shri in the Medicine (Yoga) category.
Harimansharma (The Apple King)
Apple farmer Hariman Sharma from Bilaspur has developed the innovative low-chilling apple variety 'HRMN 99', thriving at altitudes as low as 1,800 feet, marking a first of its kind. This scab-resistant apple variety is economically viable and has been planted by over 100,000 farmers across India and abroad with more than 1.4 million plants. The National Innovation Foundation has planted 33,000 HRMN-99 plants across all 29 states to study adoption and fruiting. Hariman's leadership extended to orchards in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Zambia, and Germany, distributing over 1.9 lakh apple plants to more than 6,000 farmers. Besides apples, he cultivates mangoes, kiwis, and pomegranates. He will receive the Padma Shri under the Others (Agriculture - Apple) category.
Jonas Masetti (The Vedanta Guru of Brazil)
Culminating a journey from mechanical engineer to Hindu spiritual guru, Jonas has widely promoted Indian spirituality, philosophy, and culture. Advocating intercultural exchange, he has made Vedantic knowledge accessible on a global scale. Known as 'Vishwanath', Jonas is a respected figure within spiritual communities, drawing large audiences worldwide through his teachings on Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita. In 2014, he established World Vidya, an institution in Rio de Janeiro focusing on the dissemination of Vedanta and Indian philosophy. For their significant contributions to cultural exchange, Jonas will be honored with the Padma Shri in the Others (Spirituality - Hindu) category.
P. Dachanamoorthy (The Tavil Maestro)
Specializing in the tavil, instrumentalist P. Dachanamoorthy will be recognized with the Padma Shri in the Arts category. A major classical percussion instrument in South Indian music and culture, the tavil holds a rich ancient tradition. With over five decades of experience, Dachanamoorthy has performed in more than 15,000 events across India since he began his presentations at age 15, sustaining and enriching the tavil music tradition. His techniques, widely adopted, underscore the pragmatic usability and effectiveness of his methods. Dachanamoorthy is celebrated for his innovative approaches in music and teaching, which effect significant improvements through education, skills development, and community upliftment. He has preserved an important aspect of Indian heritage, promoting its development and identity on a larger scale. The famed tavil player from Puducherry has performed across India for more than 50 years.
Neerja Bhatla (Cervical Cancer Warrior)
Delhi-based gynecologist Neerja Bhatla focuses on detecting, preventing, and managing cervical cancer, making vital contributions to women's health. She will be awarded the Padma Shri in the Medicine (Gynecology) category. Even after retiring as Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at AIIMS, she continues leading several research projects on cervical cancer prevention in India, focusing on screening in low-resource settings, HPV epidemiology, affordable HPV testing, and vaccine trials. Bhatla has played a key role in creating resource-based guidelines for cervical cancer screening, management, and HPV vaccination, and under her leadership, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) developed the FIGO Gynaecologic Cancer Management App.
Harvinder Singh (The Ekalavya of Kaithal)
From Haryana's Kaithal district, para-archer Harvinder Singh became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. He won 1 gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic and 1 bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic. His world ranking is 1 for Men's Recurve Open (2024). Singh is also a motivational speaker on drug awareness and the promotion of sports. He will be honored with the Padma Shri in the Sports (Differently-abled - Archery) category.
L. Hangthing (The Fruitman of Noklak)
A fruit farmer from Noklak in Nagaland, Hangthing boasts over 30 years of expertise in cultivating non-native fruits. He will be honored with the Padma Shri in the Others (Agriculture - Fruit) category. Introducing non-native fruit and vegetable plants into his region, he has shared this knowledge across 40 villages in his state, reaching over 200 farmers. Hangthing's love for fruits emerged during childhood when he decided to collect seeds discarded by vendors or consumers and experiment on his family farm. Innovative agricultural techniques put forth by him have been embraced by over 400 homes in the area. Through unwavering dedication, Hangthing has empowered thousands of farmers across 40 villages, enhancing their income by introducing the cultivation of non-native fruits like lychees and oranges.
Bheem Singh Bhavesh (The Savior of the Musahars)
For over 22 years, committed social worker Bheem Singh Bhavesh from Bhojpur has tirelessly uplifted the most marginalized groups—aided by his organization 'Nayi Asha'. He works to improve access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods for the Musahar community. As a result of his efforts, participation in education and healthcare has increased in over 200 Musahar settlements across 13 blocks in Bhojpur district. More than 8,000 Musahar children have been enrolled in government schools, with the establishment of a large library. Bhavesh has organized over 100 health camps in Bhojpur and Buxar districts. His insightful books, "Name Plate" and "From Kolkata to Kolkata", address significant issues by highlighting the struggles and aspirations of marginalized groups. Bhavesh will receive the Padma Shri in the Social Work (Dalit) category.
Jagdish Joshila (The Novelist of Nimadi)
With over five decades of writing Nimadi prose, renowned author Jagdish Joshila from Nimadi and Khargone is credited with establishing and promoting its literature. Through notable works like 'Bhalay Ki', this Nimadi novelist has been instrumental in bringing attention to almost 50 historically and patriotically themed novels, poetry, and plays. Devoted to teaching and preserving the language, Joshila has significantly supported Western Indo-Aryan languages. His contribution to the establishment of Kranti Sury Tantya Bhil University in 2024 was pivotal. Joshila will be recognized with the Padma Shri in the Literature and Education (Nimadi) category.
Naren Gurung (The Sikkimese Shiv of Nepali Song)
Versatile folk artist Naren Gurung from Gangtok has dedicated 60 years to preserving and promoting Sikkimese Nepali folk music and dance traditions. His performances at national and international festivals have played a crucial role in reviving Bhutia and Lepcha traditions, making him a true guardian of Sikkim's cultural heritage. As a regular radio and television artist, he stands out as a proficient bhajan singer with 30 songs. Naren Gurung has guided young artists to preserve art forms and released numerous folk and contemporary audio cassettes. He is widely popular across Sikkim, has performed at renowned national events like the Sanjari concert and IGNCA, and has taken his performances internationally to the USA, UK, and Kenya. He will receive the Padma Shri in the Arts (Singing - Folk - Nepali) category.
Vilas Dangre (The Humanitarian Homeopath)
70-year-old visually impaired homeopathic doctor Vilas Dangre has been treating economically disadvantaged patients at negligible cost for 50 years. Founding Dr. Vilas Dangre Homeopathy Clinic in Nagpur, he has treated over 100,000 patients, specializing in skin and mental health conditions. Diagnosing illnesses by checking 'Nadi', Dangre demonstrates exceptional diagnostic skills. He has trained many other doctors while continuing his work despite becoming visually impaired 10 years ago. Dangre will be honored with the Padma Shri in the Medicine (Homeopathy) category.
Bheru Singh Chauhan (The Bhajan Maestro of Nirgun Bhakti)
The celebrated Nirgun folk singer Bheru Singh Chauhan has dedicated over five decades to bhajan music, rooted in traditional Malwi folk style. Performing from the age of nine, Chauhan has presented more than 6,000 renditions on national and international platforms, advancing Nirgun bhajan and Malwa culture. As an excellent player of the tambura and kartal, he has made crucial contributions to social reform, utilizing saints' teachings to promote good, drug awareness, and women's education, inspiring millions to overcome addictions. Despite limited transportation options, Chauhan adhered to the tradition, often traveling on foot or by cycle, overcoming physical and financial hurdles to preserve and promote the art. Chauhan will be honored with the Padma Shri in the Arts (Singing - Nirgun) category.
Jumde Yomgam Gamhlin (The Heroine of De-Addiction)
For the past three decades, Jumde Yomgam Gamhlin has tirelessly worked towards de-addiction and social reform for local communities. She founded an NGO called Mothers' Vision, which includes a 30-bed spirituality-based de-addiction cum rehabilitation center. Conducting anti-narcotic campaigns to eradicate marijuana and opium cultivation in Geku and Katan areas, she gained support from local women, community leaders, and district officials. Through her NGO, Gamhlin empowered over 700 individuals to overcome addiction by combining recovery support with livelihood opportunities and public health awareness. A beacon of hope, she empowered over 2,000 women through vocational training programs and aided them in gaining financial independence. Gamhlin, a social worker from West Siang, is leading de-addiction and rehabilitation efforts, and will be recognized with the Padma Shri in the Social Work (Service) category.
Venkappa Ambajji Sugatekar (The Wandering Guru of Gondhali)
Renowned among the nomadic Gondhali community as ‘Bhishma of Gondhali’, Venkappa Ambajji has sung over 1,000 Gondhali songs and narrated more than 150 Gondhali stories, emphasizing devotion, respect for elders, truth, and the significance of the Guru through spiritual performances. Training over 1,000 students for free contributed to the promotion and preservation of the fading Gondhali folk art. Despite coming from a modest and disadvantaged background, he continues to perform for common people. While remaining true to his roots and traditions, these folk songs promote the importance of devotion, respect for elders, truth, and the Guru among new generations. He will receive the Padma Shri in the Arts (Singing - Folk - Gondhali) category.
Travel Blogger Couple
The couple from Uttarakhand, Hugh and Colleen, who contributed to Indian travel journalism for over five decades, are honored posthumously with this award. Their extensive writing includes over 30 books on Indian tourism, promoting travel while raising awareness about local communities and cultural heritage preservation. Colleen, who passed away in November 2024, ends up receiving the award posthumously.
