Padma Awards 2024 Winners List: Elephant Mahout Gets Padma Shri

On Thursday, January 25, the Narendra Modi government announced the list of Padma Vibhushan, Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards. The Padma Awards are categorized into Padma Bhushan, Vibhushan, and Shri. Considered the second-highest civilian honours in India after Bharat Ratna, the Padma Awards for 2024 were unveiled on Republic Day. Established in 1954, these awards acknowledge individuals for their exceptional contributions across various fields.

The list of Padma Awards 2024 winners, traditionally disclosed on Republic Day, encompasses diverse categories such as Art, Literature, Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science, Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade, and Industry.

Among the notable recipients are:

Parbati Baruah: India’s first female elephant mahout, who defied stereotypes to carve a space for herself in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Jageshwar Yadav: A Tribal Welfare Worker from Jashpur who devoted his life to the upliftment of marginalized Birhor & Pahadi Korwa people.

Chami Murmu: A Tribal Environmentalist and champion of women's empowerment from Seraikela Kharsawan.

Gurvinder Singh: Divyang Social Worker from Sirsa who worked for the betterment of the homeless, destitute, women, orphans and Divyangjan.

Sathyanarayana Beleri: Rice farmer from Kasaragod, who evolved into a guardian of paddy crop by preserving over 650 traditional rice varieties.

Dukhu Majhi: Tribal Environmentalist from Sindri village, Purulia.

K Chellammal: Organic Farmer from South Andaman successfully developed a 10-acre organic farm.

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 the development of India's inaugural Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program (SCACP).

Shanti Devi Paswan & 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 the 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: First 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 EP: 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: Third 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.