India Honors 5 Legends with Top Civilian Award
India's second-highest civilian honor recognizes five extraordinary lives spanning film, law, music, education, and public service. The 2026 Padma Vibhushan celebrates careers that shaped a generation.
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50 results for "padma vibhushan"
Five Gujarat Artists and Humanitarians Earn Padma Shri
India honors five changemakers from Gujarat with the prestigious Padma Shri award for preserving ancient arts and saving lives through organ donation. Their combined century of service shows how dedication to craft and community creates lasting impact.
Two Rajasthani Folk Musicians Win National Padma Shri
Masters of rare instruments — a "talking drum" and twin bamboo flutes — just earned India's prestigious Padma Shri award. Their decades of dedication are keeping ancient musical traditions alive for the world to hear.
Georgia Coach Gets Padma Shri for India Wrestling Legacy
Vladimir Mestvirishvili, the Georgian coach who spent 20 years mentoring India's Olympic wrestling medalists, received a posthumous Padma Shri award this week. The wrestlers he shaped into champions called him a father figure who cared as much about their wellbeing as their medals.
Padma Shri Surgeon Who Treated Polio Patients Honored
Dr. S.V. Adinarayana Rao, a celebrated orthopedic surgeon who dedicated his life to treating polio patients, was laid to rest with full state honors in Visakhapatnam. Hundreds gathered to celebrate a medical hero whose compassion changed countless lives.
Mammootty at 74 Wins Padma Bhushan for Fearless Acting
Indian film legend Mammootty just received one of India's highest civilian honors for doing what most superstars won't: choosing risky, unconventional roles over safe blockbusters. At 74, he's proving that artistic courage matters more than protecting your image.
Mridangam Master Wins Padma Shri After 60 Years of Rhythm
At 70, master percussionist Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam celebrates a triple milestone: India's Padma Shri honor, six decades as a professional musician, and 26 years running his music school. His journey from a nine-year-old accompanist to Olympic performer shows how dedication transforms traditional art into global inspiration.
Dholak Player Wins India's Padma Shri After Voter Mix-Up
A master dholak player in Gujarat went from having his voter registration questioned to being honored by India's Chief Minister in just 15 days. Mir Haji Kasam's dramatic turnaround came after receiving one of India's highest civilian honors. #
Doctor Wins Padma Shri for Healing India's Jarawa Tribe
A public health doctor spent decades earning the trust of one of India's most isolated tribes using nothing but patience, respect, and medicine. His work with the Jarawa people became a model for ethical healthcare in indigenous communities.
11 West Bengal Icons Win Padma Shri 2026
West Bengal celebrates as 11 of its most accomplished citizens receive India's fourth-highest civilian honor for their contributions to arts, science, and culture. From a legendary actor with 350 films to a weaver preserving ancient textile traditions, these honorees represent the best of human dedication and excellence.
Tribal Leader Shibu Soren Receives India's Padma Bhushan
Jharkhand celebrates as tribal rights champion Shibu Soren receives India's third-highest civilian honor, recognizing decades of advocacy that helped create a state and uplift millions. His son, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, says his father will forever remain a hero to tribal communities across India. ##
Man Grows Living Root Bridge Over 50 Years, Wins Padma Shri
A 10-year-old boy in Meghalaya started growing a bridge from living tree roots using his grandfather's ancient wisdom. Five decades later, Hally War's creation draws 10,000 visitors yearly and earned him India's fourth-highest civilian honor.
India Awards 45 Unsung Heroes Who Changed Thousands of Lives
An 88-year-old retired police officer cleaning streets by bicycle, a bus conductor who built a 2-million-book free library, and a woman who opened schools in conflict zones are among 45 everyday heroes receiving India's prestigious Padma Shri awards. These aren't politicians or celebrities—they're ordinary people who did extraordinary things.
Orange Seller Builds School With Daily Savings in India
An illiterate fruit vendor in Karnataka saved rupees from selling oranges to build a school for village children, eventually earning India's Padma Shri award. Harekala Hajabba's quiet determination changed education access for hundreds of kids.
Kolkata Man Fights Fires for 50 Years After Brother's Death
After watching his brother die from 80% burn injuries at age 12, Bipin Ganatra decided no one else should suffer that way. For five decades, the Kolkata electrician has volunteered at hundreds of fires, earning a Padma Shri and the trust of every fire station in the city.
Former Bus Conductor Builds 2-Million-Book Free Library
A former bus conductor from Karnataka spent decades collecting books while working multiple jobs, creating India's largest free library with nearly 2 million books. His lifelong mission earned him the Padma Shri, but his real reward is the thousands of students and readers who now have access to knowledge.
Kashmir Professor Completes 1,400-Page Dictionary at 75
A 75-year-old linguist from rural Kashmir just received India's Padma Shri award for creating a comprehensive dictionary that preserves his native language. Mohammad Shafi Shauq spent years after retirement ensuring future generations can read, write, and understand Kashmiri.
Kashmir Professor Honored for Preserving Local Language
A retired Kashmir University professor who dedicated his life to creating a comprehensive Kashmiri dictionary just received one of India's highest civilian honors. Mohammad Shafi Shauq's work ensures a rich local language won't be lost to future generations.
Mechanic Honors 5,500 Unclaimed Dead After Son's Tragedy
When Mohammad Shareef lost his son and couldn't give him a proper burial, he vowed no one else would face that fate. For 27 years, this bicycle mechanic has performed last rites for over 5,500 unclaimed bodies across all faiths.
Doctor Couple Treats Village for Rs 2 for 35 Years
For 35 years, Dr Ravindra and Dr Smita Kolhe served a remote Maharashtra village charging just Rs 2 per visit, slashing infant deaths from 200 to 40 per 1,000 births. Their work transformed Melghat from a region plagued by farmer suicides into a thriving, suicide-free community.
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