On the auspicious occasion of Republic Day 2024, the Government of India proudly announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honors bestowed upon individuals for their remarkable achievements in various fields. The Padma Awards stand second in the hierarchy of honors, with Bharat Ratna being the highest.

Padma Vibhushan: Recognizing Eminent Personalities

The Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, was conferred upon five distinguished individuals:

Vyjayantimala Bali: An acclaimed actress, dancer, and parliamentarian known for her contributions to Indian cinema and social welfare.

Konidela Chiranjeevi: A legendary actor, producer, and philanthropist, widely recognized for his significant contributions to the Telugu film industry.

M Venkaiah Naidu: A respected politician and statesman who served as the 13th Vice President of India and held various ministerial positions.

Bindeshwar Pathak (Posthumous): A renowned social reformer and founder of Sulabh International, dedicated to eradicating manual scavenging and promoting sanitation.

Padma Subramanyam: A renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and teacher who has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Indian classical dance.

Padma Shri: Celebrating Unsung Heroes

The Padma Shri, the third-highest civilian award, was bestowed upon 28 deserving individuals from diverse backgrounds, each making extraordinary contributions to their respective fields:

Parbati Baruah: The first female mahout in India, breaking barriers and inspiring women in a traditionally male-dominated profession.

Jageshwar Yadav: A dedicated tribal welfare worker who has tirelessly worked to uplift the marginalized communities in Rajasthan.

Chami Murmu: An environmentalist and tribal leader from Odisha, known for her efforts in preserving traditional agricultural practices and promoting sustainable living.

Gurvinder Singh: A differently-abled social worker who has dedicated his life to empowering persons with disabilities and advocating for their rights.

Sathyanarayana Beleri: A rice farmer from Kerala who developed a unique method of organic farming, transforming barren land into fertile fields.

Sangthankima: A social worker from Mizoram who has dedicated her life to providing education and healthcare to underprivileged communities.

Hemchand Manjhi: A traditional medicinal practitioner from Odisha, known for his expertise in treating various ailments using herbal remedies.

Dukhu Majhi: A tribal environmentalist from West Bengal who has played a crucial role in protecting and preserving the local forests.

K Chellammal: An organic farmer from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who has been instrumental in promoting sustainable farming practices and empowering women farmers.

Yanung Jamoh Lego: A herbal medicine expert from Arunachal Pradesh, known for his extensive knowledge of traditional healing practices.

Somanna: A tribal welfare worker from Karnataka who has dedicated his life to improving the living conditions and empowering tribal communities.

Sarbeswar Basumatary: A tribal farmer from Assam who has been recognized for his innovative agricultural techniques and contributions to sustainable farming.

Prema Dhanraj: A plastic surgeon and social worker who has dedicated her life to providing reconstructive surgeries and medical care to underprivileged communities.

Uday Vishwanath Deshpande: An international Mallakhamb coach who has dedicated his life to promoting the traditional Indian sport of Mallakhamb.

Yazdi Maneksha Italia: A renowned microbiologist who has made significant contributions to the field of medical research and education.

Shanti Devi Paswan & Shivan Paswan: Globally recognized Godna painters who have dedicated their lives to preserving and promoting this traditional art form.

Ratan Kahar: A Bhadu folk singer from West Bengal, known for his soulful renditions of traditional songs and his dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of his community.

Balakrishnan Sadanam Puthiya Veetil: A Kalluvazhi Kathakali dancer who has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting this traditional dance form.

Uma Maheshwari D: The first female exponent of Harikatha, a traditional storytelling art form, known for her captivating performances and dedication to promoting the art form.

Gopinath Swain: A Krishna Leela singer from Odisha, known for his melodious renditions of devotional songs and his dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Smriti Rekha Chakma: A Chakma Loinloom shawl weaver from Tripura, known for her intricate weaving skills and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Omprakash Sharma: A Mach Theatre artist who has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting this traditional art form, known for its unique blend of music, dance, and storytelling.

Narayanan EP: A veteran Theyyam folk dancer from Kerala, known for his energetic performances and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Bhagbat Padhan: A Sabda Nrutya folk dance artist from Odisha, known for his mesmerizing performances and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Sanatan Rudra Pal: A renowned sculptor with five decades of experience, known for his intricate and lifelike sculptures.

Badrappan M: A Valli Oyil Kumi folk dance artist from Tamil Nadu, known for his energetic performances and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Jordan Lepcha: A bamboo craftsman from Sikkim, known for his intricate bamboo weaving skills and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Machihan Sasa: A Longpi potter from Manipur, known for his unique pottery skills and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Gaddam Sammiah: A Chindu Yakshaganam theatre artist from Telangana, known for his captivating performances and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Jankilal: A Behrupiya artist from Rajasthan, known for his ability to transform into various characters and his dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Dasari Kondappa: A Burra Veena player from Telangana, known for his mastery of the traditional string instrument and his dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Babu Ram Yadav: A brass Marori craftsperson from Uttar Pradesh, known for his intricate metalworking skills and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

Nepal Chandra Sutradhar: A Chhau mask maker from Odisha, known for his skillful craftsmanship and dedication to preserving the traditional art form.

The Padma Awards 2024 ceremony was a grand celebration of the extraordinary achievements and contributions of these remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact on society and preserving India's rich cultural heritage.