Padma Shri Awardees
The Padma Shri is a top civilian honor in India, awarded for outstanding contributions in fields like science, social work, medicine, trade, industry, art, and literature. It recognizes individuals who have made significant and distinguished contributions in these areas.
Unsung heroes honored with awards this year include South Andaman organic farmer K Chellammal and snake catchers Vadivel Gopal and Masi Sadaiyan from Irula Tribe, in addition to archer Purima Mahtao, para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna, and para swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia – just some examples!
Dr. Nalini Parthasarathi
On the eve of Republic Day, the President of India announced 106 Padma awardees as Padma Vibhushan awardees; three cases also involve duo cases this year. There are three award categories; Vibhushan is the highest; Padma Bhushan comes second; while Padma Shri recognizes exceptional work performed within specific fields.
Dr Nalini Parthasarathi, a former pediatrics professor with JIPMER, received the Padma Shri award in recognition of her unflagging service to hemophilia patients. She established the Haemophilia Society of Puducherry 30 years ago, providing free treatment at Thattanchavady as well as opening her home as a free facility.
She thanked the Puducherry government for supporting her work and requested donations from members of the public to assist patients and support hemophilia research. Furthermore, she highlighted its significance for hemophilia care as this disease may lead to severe complications.
India currently only has around 7,000 individuals living with this disease, as it can damage blood vessels permanently and lead to bleeding and disability. People affected need regular injections of clotting factor injections; thus it is essential that their healthcare provider understands this illness and offers treatments.
Not only should a good doctor provide medical expertise, but their personality should also put patients at ease. Aside from answering patients’ queries about disease diagnosis and treatments, good doctors should also communicate in their native tongue so they receive optimal care. Furthermore, patients must know about the credentials of service providers – this will ensure the highest standard of treatment.
Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar
The Jarawa tribe has lived on the Andaman Islands for two millennia. However, contact with the outside world introduced deadly diseases such as measles. Luckily in the late 1990s a medical officer in government service, Dr Ratan Chandra Kar (graduate of NRSC Medical College Kolkata), began treating and protecting them and saved many from possible extinction. Dr Kar spoke to Careers360 about his experience and why young doctors must serve remote areas.
Dr Kar first met the Jarawas in 1998 when health officials asked him to assist. Their tribal community had experienced multiple outbreaks of diseases at that time and Dr Kar accepted this assignment despite knowing that Jarawas distrusted outsiders and were equipped with poisonous bows and arrows armed against any attempts at intervention from outsiders.
Soon he became acquainted with their traditions and gradually formed strong ties with them, earning their respect. He was able to treat Jarawas without any resistance, even helping thwart an outbreak of measles in their region – for his efforts he was recognized with a Padma Shri award in 2023.
Kar credits his experiences working with the Jarawas as teaching him the importance of upholding every individual’s dignity, regardless of background or religion. Additionally, he is an outspoken supporter of minority rights who believes India will only reach its true potential with everyone working collaboratively towards reaching it.
Kar was among this year’s recipients, which also includes a Kannada author is known for his work on Haemophilia; a retired Andaman and Nicobar Islands medical professional who saved an indigenous tribe from disease outbreaks; and one who is widely celebrated for creating India’s favorite drink ‘Rasna’. Other awardees include Dilip Mahalanabis who returned from America to serve in 1971 Bangladesh war refugee camps and promote Oral Rehydration Salt which saved five crore lives globally; Vani Jairam who sang over 20,000 songs in 18 different languages and lastly Kapil Kapoor who is widely respected as an Indian Grammatical theories expert who is known for writing books on Indian grammar models.
Dr. Hirabai Lobi
PM Modi showed his admiration and respect to a Siddi tribal social worker and her family during the 74th Republic Day ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi of Jambur Village in Gujarat’s Junagadh District received an award and delivered her acceptance speech by discussing her work to uphold Siddi culture and empower more than 700 women through various Mahila Vikas Mandals. She has made a substantial impactful difference to many Siddi families’ living standards by helping them secure jobs and opening bank accounts, as well as in improving access to quality education for many children from her community. Through her efforts many children in her community now benefit from accessing excellent teaching methods while becoming financially independent adults.
Beyond her educational efforts, she has also contributed significantly towards Siddi women’s financial independence through balwadis and Mahila Vikas Mandals. By teaching them how to save and earn their own incomes independently, she empowered these women with independence in everyday life – including using the Internet!
Her dedication to improving her community has also garnered widespread recognition. She received the Samman Patra from the state government and numerous organizations have acknowledged her for it, too. Furthermore, she donated prize money from winning races toward helping children attend school; additionally she has participated in radio programs and talks discussing tribal peoples and their struggles.
Alongside her, several unsung heroes were recognized this year with the announcement of this year’s Padma Shri awardees on Wednesday, such as industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, author Sudha Murty and novelist SL Bhyrappa. Furthermore, paediatrician Dilip Mahalanabis who pioneered Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) use while serving in refugee camps during the 1971 Bangladesh War has received the Padma Vibhushan. She was recognized for championing its use which has saved over five crore lives worldwide.
Dr. Munishwar Chander Dawar
Munishwar Chander Dawar was born in Punjab before independence and moved to India after partition. After serving as a medical professional during the Indo-Pak War, he completed his MBBS at Jabalpur in 1967 and began treating underprivileged people from his locality of Madhya Pradesh at very reasonable fees – just Rs 20! To this day he continues treating more than 200 patients daily for whom his fees remain so affordable. He remains an inspiration to many young doctors today.
Munishwar Chander Dawar provides compassionate and personalized healthcare services to his patients. He works closely with each one to understand their individual needs and develops an individualized treatment plan tailored just for them. Specializing in treating minor ailments to more serious ones, Munishwar is known for his extensive medical knowledge as well as being capable of diagnosing even complex health issues with precision.
He as 10 years of experience in his speciality. If surgery becomes necessary he performs surgery as necessary. His expertise has made him a valuable consultant at numerous prestigious hospitals.
On the eve of Republic Day, 26 unsung heroes were recognized with Padma awards by the government. These recipients include a medical professional who returned from America to serve in 1971-Bangladesh War refugee camps and promoted world wide use of Oral Rehydration Solution; saving over five crore lives worldwide. Other awardees include Ratan Chandra Kar, a retired government doctor from Andaman who has worked closely with Jarawa tribe members on Nicobar Islands; Siddi tribal social worker Hirabai Lobi; and Munishwar Chander Dawar who has been treating underprivileged people for 50 years – these outstanding people deserve our thanks and appreciation.
Winners were chosen by an esteemed panel of 106 distinguished personalities from across India, who selected six Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan, and 91 Padma Shri awardees who were celebrated at an investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Additionally, civilian awards were conferred upon six soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces, one sportsperson, and an artist by their government.
