New Delhi: On Saturday, 25 January 2025, the Central government announced the names of 139 persons for the prestigious Padma Awards ahead of Republic Day on Sunday, 26 January. Among the recipients are several unsung heroes, including a 100-year-old freedom fighter from Goa, a dhak player from West Bengal who has trained 150 women in a traditionally male-dominated field, and India’s first woman puppeteer.
The Padma Awards, considered India’s highest civilian honours, are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. They are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (for distinguished service of a high order), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service). For 2025, the President has approved 139 Padma Awards, including one duo case (where the award is counted as one). The list features 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the recipients are 23 women, 10 individuals from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 13 posthumous awardees. The awards honour achievements across diverse fields involving public service and are conferred based on recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted annually by the Prime Minister.
Among the Pdma Vibhushan awardees are Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine); Justice (Retd.) Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs); Kumudini Lakhia (Art); Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) Trade and Industry Japan
Among the Padma Bhushan awardees are A. Surya Prakash (Literature and Education, Journalism); Anant Nag (Art); Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) (Literature and Education); Nandamuri Balakrishna (Art); P.R. Sreejesh (Sports); Sadhvi Ritambhara (Social Work); Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) (Public Affairs).
The unsung heroes on the list include Jonas Masetti, Bhim Singh Bhavesh, Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar, Jumde Yomgam Gamlin, L. Hangthing, Bheru Singh Chouhan, Harvinder Singh, Vilas Dangre, Naren Gurung, Hugh and Colleen Gantzer, Hariman Sharma, Shaikha A.J. Al Sabah, Neerja Bhatla, Jagdish Joshila, P. Datchanamoorthy, and others.
JONAS MASETTI: A Brazilian mechanical engineer turned Hindu spiritual leader, features among the Padma Shri awardees for his contributions to promoting Indian spirituality, philosophy, and culture globally. For years, he has worked to make Vedantic wisdom accessible, reaching over 1.5 lakh students worldwide. Masetti is recognized for his teachings on Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita, which have influenced a diverse global audience and significantly advanced cultural education and spiritual development.
BHIM SINGH BHAVESH: A social worker from Bhojpur, garnered attention for his tireless efforts over the past 22 years to uplift the Musahar community, one of the most marginalized groups in society, through his foundation, Nayee Asha.
NEERJA BHATLA: Dr Neerja Bhatla, a gynaecologist from Delhi specializing in cervical cancer detection, prevention, and management, has been honoured with the Padma Shri.
HARIMAN SHARMA: An apple farmer from Bilaspur, is another Padma Shri awardee recognized for developing the low-chilling apple variety “HRMN 99”. This innovative variety grows at low altitudes of 1,800 feet above sea level, and is a ground-breaking achievement in apple farming.
HARVINDER SINGH: Harvinder Singh, the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games, was also awarded the Padma Shri. He secured gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
P. DATCHANAMOORTHY: A renowned Thavil expert with over five decades of experience, has been awarded the Padma Shri. Starting his journey at the age of 15, he has performed at more than 15,000 events across India, keeping the South Indian classical percussion instrument Thavil integral to the region’s music and culture. Known for his innovative techniques and teaching methods, he has significantly contributed to the preservation, growth, and global recognition of Thavil music while promoting education, skill development, and community uplift.
L. HANGTHING: A fruit farmer from Noklak, Nagaland, has also been honoured with the Padma Shri for his 30 years of expertise in cultivating non-native fruits. He introduced saplings of fruits like litchis and oranges to his region and shared his knowledge with over 200 farmers across 40 villages. Inspired by his childhood experiments with discarded fruit seeds, his techniques have now been adopted by more than 400 households, improving incomes and transforming agricultural practices in the area.
HUGH AND COLLEEN GANTZER: A husband-and-wife travel writer duo, have been recognized for their pioneering contributions to Indian travel journalism spanning over five decades. Together, they authored more than 30 books and 3,000 articles, offering rich insights into India’s culture, history, and landscapes. Their work, which raised awareness about preserving local communities and cultural heritage, has left an indelible mark on India’s tourism industry. Despite challenges like financial instability and extensive travel demands, their dedication to exploration and storytelling earned them this honour. Colleen Gantzer was awarded posthumously, as she passed away on November 6, 2024.
SHAIKHA A.J. AL SABAH: A yoga practitioner from Kuwait and the founder of Daratma, the country’s first licensed yoga studio, has been awarded the Padma Shri. She promoted yoga in the Gulf region by blending traditional techniques with modern practices, launching Kuwait’s yoga education license, and co-founding Shems Youth Yoga, a program for children aged 0-14. Her philanthropic initiatives include “Yomnak lil Yaman,” a fundraiser for Yemeni refugees, and pandemic relief efforts in 2020, where she supported underprivileged children with educational supplies.
NAREN GURUNG: A versatile folk artist from Gangtok, Sikkim, has devoted 60 years to preserving and promoting Sikkimese Nepali folk music and dance traditions. His efforts have revived Bhutia and Lepcha art forms, which he has showcased at both national and international festivals. A regular performer on radio and television, he has also composed 30 Bhajans and released numerous folk and contemporary audio cassettes widely popular in Sikkim. By mentoring young artists and performing at prominent events like the Sanjari Concert and IGNCA, as well as in the USA, UK, and Kenya, he has cemented his legacy as a cultural guardian of Sikkim.
BHERU SINGH CHOUHAN: A prolific Nirgun folk singer, has dedicated over five decades to bhajan music rooted in the traditional Malvi folk style. Starting at the age of nine, he has rendered verses of Sant Kabir, Gorakhnath, and Dadu, playing a pivotal role in promoting Nirgun Bhajans and Malwa culture. With more than 6,000 performances at national and international levels, he is also an accomplished instrumentalist, mastering the Tambura and Kartal. His music has served as a tool for social reform, spreading messages on de-addiction, women’s education, and overcoming vices, inspiring countless individuals. Despite facing physical and financial hardships, he persevered, often walking or cycling to keep the tradition alive.
JUMDE YOMGAM GAMLIN: Spent over three decades tirelessly working for de-addiction and social reform in her local community. She founded Mothers Vision, an NGO that runs a 30-bed spirituality-based de-addiction and rehabilitation centre. With support from local women, community leaders, and district authorities, she led successful anti-drug campaigns, eradicating marijuana and opium cultivation in the Geku and Katan regions. Through her NGO, she has helped over 700 individuals overcome addiction, providing recovery support, livelihood opportunities, and public health awareness. Additionally, she has empowered more than 2,000 women through vocational training programs and access to financial assistance.
JAGDISH JOSHILA: A Nimadi and Hindi author from Khargone, Joshila has been contributing to literature for over five decades. Known as the founder of Nimadi prose literature, he became the first Nimadi novelist with works like Bhalai Ki Jad Patthal Mein and Gaanv Ki Pehchaan. With over 50 historical and patriotic novels, poems, and plays to his credit, he has been instrumental in teaching and preserving the Nimadi language, a Western Indo-Aryan dialect. His efforts led to the establishment of Kranti Surya Tantya Bhil Vishwavidyalaya in 2024, a university dedicated to advancing Nimadi education, literature, and culture. As a patron of the Akhil Nimadi Lok Parishad and Akhil Nimadi Lok Nyas, he continues to champion the promotion of Nimadi heritage.
GOKUL CHANDRA DEY: a 57-year-old dhak player from West Bengal has been recognized for breaking gender stereotypes by training 150 women in this traditionally male-dominated field. He also designed a lightweight dhak, reducing its weight by 1.5 kilograms, making it more accessible to performers. Dey has represented India on international stages, performing with legendary artists like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Zakir Hussain.
SALLY HOLKAR: An 82-year-old dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment, Holkar has received the Padma Shri for her contribution to reviving the Maheshwari craft. Inspired by the legacy of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, she has spent five decades preserving the 300-year-old weaving tradition. Originally from America, she founded the Handloom School in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, to train artisans in traditional weaving techniques and rejuvenate the once-declining craft.