1. India’s 2024 Padma Awards acknowledge 132 individuals for exceptional contributions.
2. Among the recipients are 34 unsung heroes, including the first female elephant mahout and a burn victim-turned-surgeon.
3. The awardees also feature a renowned sculptor artist, a tribal welfare worker, a traditional medicine practitioner, and a veteran coach of the traditional Indian sport Mallakhamb.
New Delhi, Jan 26: India’s Padma Awards for 2024 have been announced, recognizing 132 individuals for their exceptional contributions.
Among the esteemed awardees are 34 unsung heroes, including the first female elephant mahout, a burn victim-turned-surgeon, a renowned sculptor artist, a tribal welfare worker, a traditional medicine practitioner, and a veteran coach of the traditional Indian sport Mallakhamb.
Highlights of Some Padma Shri Awardees:
- Parbati Barua (Social Work – Animal Welfare):
- An animal conservationist from Assam and India’s first female elephant mahout.
- Born into the Rajahs of Gauripur, her life was featured in the BBC documentary “Queen of the Elephants.”
- Dedicated to mitigating human-elephant conflict, she played a crucial role in saving rogue tuskers.
- Prema Dhanraj (Medicine – Indigenous Burns):
- A 72-year-old plastic reconstructive surgeon and social worker.
- Survived a fire accident as a child, suffering 50% burn injuries.
- Became one of India’s top plastic surgeons, focusing on the care and rehabilitation of burn victims.
- Sanatan Rudra Pal (Art – Sculpture):
- A renowned Kumartuli artist known for creating majestic and towering Durga idols.
- Has been a sculptor artist for over 50 years, with his works showcased globally during Durga Puja celebrations.
- Hemchand Manjhi (Medicine – AYUSH Traditional Medicine):
- A traditional medicine practitioner from Chhattisgarh providing affordable healthcare to villagers for over five decades.
- Recognized for his significant contributions to AYUSH traditional medicine.
- Somanna (Social Work – Tribal):
- A tribal welfare worker from Mysuru working for over four decades for the upliftment of the Jenu Kuruba tribe.
- Recognized for his dedicated efforts in the field of tribal welfare.
- Uday Vishwanath Deshpande (Sport – Mallakhamb):
- A veteran coach of the traditional Indian sport Mallakhamb.
- Worked tirelessly to revive, revitalize, and popularize the sport globally.
- Acknowledged with the Padma Shri in the field of sport.
- Chami Murmu (Environment/Women’s Empowerment):
- A tribal environmentalist and advocate for women’s empowerment from Jharkhand.
- Recognized for spearheading afforestation efforts and planting over three million plants in Seraikela Kharsawan district.
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Padma Awards Overview:
- The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honors in India, conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
- A total of 132 Padma Awards have been approved, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards.
- These awards honor individuals across various disciplines, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.