India Honors 45 Unsung Heroes with Prestigious Padma Awards

As India prepares for its 77th Republic Day celebrations, 45 individuals have been selected to receive the esteemed Padma Awards for their remarkable contributions under the ‘Unsung Heroes’ category. This announcement highlights the recognition of those whose dedicated efforts often go unnoticed, yet significantly impact the lives of others.

Among the distinguished awardees are notable figures such as Kailashchand, Brij Lal Bhatt, and Dr Shyam Sundar. The official list of awardees will be released by Sunday evening, January 28, 2024, according to sources familiar with the announcement.

Recognizing the Unseen Contributions

The Padma Awards serve to honor individuals who have shown unwavering commitment to their communities and the nation, despite often working behind the scenes. These unsung heroes represent a vital force in driving change and improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens.

Earlier on the same day, nearly 1,000 personnel from various emergency services, including police, fire, home guard, and Civil Defence Services, were also recognized with gallantry and service medals in acknowledgment of their bravery and dedication.

The following is a list of some of the awardees for this year’s Padma Awards:

• Bhagwandas Raikar (Madhya Pradesh)
• Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda (Maharashtra)
• Brij Lal Bhatt (Jammu and Kashmir)
• Charan Hembram (Odisha)
• Chiranjee Lal Yadav (Uttar Pradesh)
• Dr Padma Gurmet (Jammu and Kashmir)
• Kollakkaiyil Devaki Amma Ji (Kerala)
• Mahendra Kumar Mishra (Odisha)
• Naresh Chandra Dev Verma (Tripura)
• Othuvar Thiruthani (Tamil Nadu)
• Raghupat Singh (Uttar Pradesh)
• Raghuveer Khedkar (Maharashtra)
• Rajastapathi Kalaiyappa Gounder (Tamil Nadu)
• Sangyusang S. Pongener (Nagaland)
• Dr Shyam Sundar (Uttar Pradesh)
• Gaffaruddin Mewati (Rajasthan)
• Khem Raj Sundriyal (Haryana)
• Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai (Gujarat)
• Mohan Nagar (Madhya Pradesh)
• Nilesh Mandlewala (Gujarat)
• R & S Godbole (Chhattisgarh)
• Ram Reddy Mamidi (Telangana)
• Simanchal Patro (Odisha)
• Suresh Hanagwadi (Karnataka)
• Techi Gubin (Arunachal Pradesh)
• Yumnam Jatra Singh (Manipur)
• Budhri Tathi (Chhattisgarh)
• Dr Kumarasamy Thangaraj (Telangana)
• Dr Punniyamurthy Natarajan (Tamil Nadu)
• Haily War (Meghalaya)
• Inderjit Singh Sidhu (Chandigarh)
• K. Pazhanivel (Puducherry)
• Kailash Chandra Pant (Madhya Pradesh)
• Nuruddin Ahmed (Assam)
• Pokila Lektepi (Assam)
• R. Krishnan (Tamil Nadu)
• S.G. Sushilemma (Karnataka)
• Taga Ram Bhil (Rajasthan)
• Vishva Bandhu (Bihar)
• Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya (Gujarat)
• Shafi Shauq (Jammu and Kashmir)

The Significance of the Padma Awards

The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors, conferred annually on the eve of Republic Day. They are categorized into three distinct honors: Padma Vibhushan for exceptional service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a higher order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service.

These awards aim to acknowledge achievements across various fields, emphasizing the importance of public service in fostering societal advancement. The upcoming honors celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions, showcasing the diverse talents and commitment present within the nation.

As the nation gears up for its Republic Day festivities, the recognition of these unsung heroes serves as a reminder of the vital roles played by individuals dedicated to serving their communities, often without seeking recognition.