Padma Shri

In a village where water is scarce and the land is unforgiving, Sundaram Verma found a way to grow trees using only one litre of water per plant. His simple method has helped over 60,000 trees survive drought — and inspired farmers across India to rethink how change takes root.

Across India, these compassionate doctors are providing life-saving treatment to the underserved — not for fame, but out of deep empathy.

Awarded the Padma Shri in 2024, Sarbeswar Basumatary's story is one of perseverance. From humble beginnings as a daily wage labourer in Assam, his remarkable journey proves that resilience, innovation, and hard work can change lives.

Awarded the Padma Shri for her incredible work, Fathema Ismail laid the groundwork for a polio-free India more than seven decades ago.

Padma Shri Jagdish Mittal still recalls every story behind the 2000+ artefacts displayed at his Hyderabad home, also known as the 'Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art'.

Despite losing his limbs to polio at 11, Dr K S Rajanna became a Paralympic champion, social activist, and entrepreneur, employing over 350 people. Here’s his journey to advocating for the rights and representation of persons with disabilities.

Padma Shri Dr Arunoday Mondal, a 70-year-old doctor, travels 160 km to Sundarbans every weekend to run his free clinic 'Sujan'. He has been treating over 12,000 patients every year for the past 23 years.

Retired Brigadier P Ganesham travels across India to help identify over 200 grassroots innovators behind brilliant utilitarian devices that can help solve day-to-day issues. Watch this video to know more.

Janak Palta McGilligan (74) transformed her home in Sanawadia near Indore into a fully sustainable home, powered by windmills. She teaches solar cooking to the youth and rural people, along with tips on living a zero-waste lifestyle.

Gulabo Sapera from Pushkar, a survivor of female infanticide, is now a role model for many girls. Watch her journey of mastering the Sapera folk dance and taking it to the world stage.