Padma Shri

In the 87th episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi appreciated 126-year-old Baba Sivanand and said, "The life of Baba Sivananda is an inspiration for all of us. He has a passion for Yoga and leads a very healthy lifestyle." Modi said, dressed in white kurta & dhoti, Baba is picture of 'simplicity & grace. Baba known for his healthy lifestyle and yoga received Padma Shri award on March 21.  

Mangalore's 68-year-old fruit seller Harekala Hajabba, received the Padma Shri award on November 8 for building a primary school with his earnings. Reportedly, he used to earn Rs 150/day. His aim to build a school reportedly came from an incident where he could not understand English spoken by a tourist. Hajabba told ANI, "today the school has 175 students with classes up to… read-more

Telangana-based Padma Shri awardee farmer Chintala Venkat Reddy has secured an international patent for growing Vitamin D-infused rice and wheat varieties through natural processes. Chintala had sampled a vegetable and maize flour-based plant-food to convert Vitamin A into Vitamin D successfully. Chintala said although Vitamin D extends benefits galore, all plants barring mushroom are incapable of synthesizing it. He added that the new… read-more

Jharkhand-based Padma Shri laureate Chhutni Mahto has been rescuing women against witch-hunting for the last two decades. Aiming to abolish the social evil, the 63-year-old has so far rescued over 125 women from being killed due to the notorious taboo. Fortunately, Chhutni herself had survived murder and rape attempts 25 years back when she was also called a witch. Later, she launched a campaign in 2000, unifying 70 women living in the region… read-more

Famous dance historian and Padma Shri awardee Sunil Kothari, passed away on December 27, at the age of 87. Kothari's health was continuously deterring after he tested positive for Covid-19, previously in November. Reportedly, he had experienced a cardiac arrest and was admitted to Fortis hospital in New Delhi. Kathak dancer Geetanjali Lal, who took care of Kothari said, "He was single and is not survived by any immediate family".