In 2024, the government reaffirms its commitment to making Padma Awards 'People’s Padma,' emphasizing inclusivity.
Central Government Reveals Padma Awards 2024 on January 25, Continuing the Tradition of Announcing Highest Civilian Honors on the Eve of Republic Day.
Three categories of Padma Awards
Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards, presented in three categories – Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Shri, stand as one of the nation’s premier civilian honors. Recognizing outstanding contributions across diverse fields such as Art, Literature, Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science, Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, and Trade & Industry, these prestigious awards honor individuals for their exceptional achievements and service.
Anyone except govt employees can apply for awards
The Padma Awards are open to all individuals, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender, except for those in government service (excluding doctors and scientists). The government emphasizes its commitment to making Padma Awards truly inclusive, referred to as ‘People’s Padma.’ President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Awards 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Bharat Ratna 2024 announced for Karpoori Thakur
On Tuesday, the Modi-led Central government declared Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, for the late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Thakur’s dedication to uplifting the downtrodden, highlighting his political journey from the 1952 Bihar Assembly to Chief Minister.
Here is the full list of Padma Awardees
Padma Shri Awardees 2024
- Parbati Baruah – India’s first female elephant mahout who started taming the wild tuskers at the age of 14 to overcome stereotypes”
- Jageshwar Yadav – Welfare worker who dedicated his life for betterment of PVTG tribes of birhor and korwa”
- Chami Murmu – Tribal Environmentalist and Women empowerment champion from Seraikela Kharsawan. She spearheaded afforestation efforts planting over 30 lakh plants with 3,000 women.
- Gurvinder Singh – Divyang Social Worker from Sirsa who worked for betterment of homeless, destitute, women, orphans and divyangjan. He nurtured 300 children dreams by setting up a child care institute named Bal Gopal Dham.
- Sathyanarayana Beleri – Rice farmer from Kasaragod, who evolved into a guardian of paddy crop by preserving over 650 traditional rice varieties. He successfully introduced ‘Rajakayame’ rice, boosting production and conservation across 3 states – Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.
- Dukhu Majhi – Environmentalist who dedicated 5 decades to planting trees and spreading awareness for a greener future.
- Sangthankima – Social worker from Aizawl who has been running Mizoram’s largest orphanage ‘Thutak Nunpuitu Team’
- Hemchand Manjhi – A traditional medicinal practitioner from Narayanpur, providing affordable healthcare to villagers for over 5 decades, having started serving the needy since the age of 15
- Yanung Jamoh Lego – East Siang based herbal medicine expert who has provided medical care to over 10,000 patients, educated 1 lakh individuals on medicinal herbs and trained SHGs in their use
- Somanna – Tribal Welfare Worker from Mysuru, tirelessly working for upliftment of Jenu Kuruba tribe for over 4 decades
- Sarbeswar Basumatary – Tribal Farmer from Chirang who successfully adopted mixed integrated farming approach and cultivated varieties of crops like coconuts, oranges, paddy, litchis and maize
- Prema Dhanraj – Plastic (Reconstructive) Surgeon & Social Worker, dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of burn victims – her legacy extending beyond surgery, championing burn prevention, awareness and policy reform
- Uday Vishwanath Deshpande – International Mallakhamb Coach, who worked relentlessly in reviving, revitalizing and popularizing the sport at global level
- Yazdi Maneksha Italia – Renowned Microbiologist who pioneered development of India’s inaugural Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program (SCACP)
- Shanti Devi Paswan and Shivan Paswan – Husband-wife from Dusadh community, who overcame social stigma to become globally recognized Godna painters – exhibiting artwork in countries like USA, Japan and Hong Kong and training over 20,000 women
- Ratan Kahar – Renowned Bhadu Folk Singer from Birbhum, has devoted over 60 years to folk music
- Ashok Kumar Biswas – Prolific Tikuli Painter credited for revival and modification of the Mauryan era artform through his efforts over last 5 decades
- Balakrishnan Sadanam Puthiya Veetil – Distinguished Kalluvazhi Kathakali Dancer with a career spanning over 60 years – earning global acclaim and promoting a deeper understanding of Indian traditions
- Uma Maheshwari D – 1st Female Harikatha Exponent, has showcased her skill in Sanskrit recitation
- Gopinath Swain – Krishna Leela Singer from Ganjam, dedicated his life to preserve and promote the tradition
- Smriti Rekha Chakma – Chakma Loinloom Shawl Weaver from Tripura, who transforms eco-friendly vegetables dyed cotton threads into traditional designs, promoting the use of natural dyes
- Omprakash Sharma – Mach Theatre Artist who has devoted 7 decades of his life to promote this 200 year old traditional dance drama of the Malwa region
- Narayanan E P – Veteran Theyyam Folk Dancer from Kannur – mastery extending beyond dance to the entire Theyyam ecosystem including costume designing & face painting techniques
- Bhagabat Padhan – Exponent of Sabda Nrutya Folk dance from Bargarh, who has taken the dance form beyond the temples
- Sanatan Rudra Pal – Distinguished sculptor with over 5 decades of experience, preserving and promoting the traditional art form – specializes in crafting Sabeki Durga idols
- Badrappan M – Exponent of Valli Oyil Kummi Folk Dance from Coimbatore – a mixed form of song and dance performance which depicts the stories of deities ‘Muruggan’ and ‘Valli’
- Jordan Lepcha – Bamboo Craftsman from Mangan, who is nurturing the cultural heritage of Lepcha tribe
- Machihan Sasa – Longpi Potter from Ukhrul who dedicated 5 decades to preserve this ancient Manipuri traditional pottery which traces its roots back to the Neolithic period (10,000 BC)
- Gaddam Sammaiah – Eminent Chindu Yakshaganam Theatre Artist from Jangaon, performing this rich heritage art form for over 5 decades over 19,000 shows
- Jankilal – Behrupiya Artist from Bhilwara, mastering the fading art form and captivating global audiences
for over 6 decades - Dasari Kondappa – 3rd generation Burra Veena player from Damaragidda village in Narayanpet, has dedicated his life to preserving the artform
- Babu Ram Yadav – Brass Marori Craftsperson with over 6 decades experience in creating intricate brass artifacts using traditional crafting techniques
- Nepal Chandra Sutradhar – 3rd Generation Chhau mask maker with over 50 years spent in the preservation of Chhau maskmaking
