Padma Shri
From pond to Padma Shri, Odisha’s aquaculture icon charts new waters
Batakrushna Sahoo, the ‘Aquaman’ of Odisha, rose from humble beginnings to national recognition for revolutionising fish farming and empowering thousands through free training programmes and initiatives like Aqua Chaupal.
She wields a kalarippayattu sword, clad in a six-yard saree
Octogenarian Meenakshi Amma wields a shield and a sword with ease, practising Kerala’s traditional martial art wearing a saree. Defying age and stereotypes, she inspires youth, especially women, to take up the art, as it instils courage and strength.
8 rural women who got the Padma Shri this year
From training elephants to healing people with herbal medicines, these heart-driven Padma Shri recipients of 2024 are raising the bar in social impact, and establishing a legacy through their contributions.
Mizo singer’s journey from local church to Padma Shri
Singing her way through her childhood, KC Runremsangi of Mizoram cut her first music album when she was 23. At 60 now, she has been conferred with the Padma Shri award for popularising Mizo folk songs through her albums and teaching youth.
Patayat Sahu’s tale of plants, potions and Padma Shri
Country recognises 65-year-old villager of Nandol in Odisha for curating a garden with 3000 varieties of medicinal plants that help to cure many ailments.
Hanjabam Radhe: from child bride to dress designer to Padma Shri
Manipur’s 90-year-old Hanjabam Ongbi Radhe Sharmi, who promotes potloi setpi – the traditional bridal dress of Manipur’s Meitei community – is happy with gaining recognition through her Padma Shri award. But she believes the government should financially support artisans like her during their old age.
Joy of making banking accessible to women
Local banker Lakhimi Baruah saw how women were ignored in banks so launched Assam’s first cooperative bank for women, ensuring thousands of marginalised women get access to banks, gaining financial literacy and empowerment.
Abandoned as an infant, she brings up orphaned girls
Knowing the pain of being abandoned and growing up in an orphanage, Parkash Kaur brings up abandoned girls, giving them a loving home, care and a good education.
Award takes Kaithapram’s therapeutic music to a higher note
Having experienced the healing powers of music, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, a Padma Shri awardee, believes music therapy can cure illnesses and disabilities.
Eco-friendly sanitation wins proponent civilian award
Subburaman, who is credited with constructing India’s first community eco-san toilet, besides successfully installing various eco-friendly sanitation solutions, gets recognized with a Padma Shri
Centenarian pioneer woman farmer honored with Padma Shri
A hands-on farmer from a young age, unlettered Pappammal has been at equal ease in her farm and in scientific discussions, and a proponent of sustainable and modern farm practices