45 ‘unsung heroes’ honoured with Padma Shri on Republic Day

New Delhi: Forty-five individuals from across the country, including a former bus conductor who established the world’s largest free-access library, a paediatrician who founded Asia’s first human milk bank, and a 90-year-old tribal musician, have been selected for the Padma Shri award in the ‘unsung heroes’ category on the occasion of Republic Day, sources said on Sunday.

Among the awardees is Anke Gowda, once a bus conductor, who set up the world’s largest free-access library, Pustak Mane, housing more than two million books in 20 languages, along with rare manuscripts. The 75-year-old bibliophile from Haralahalli village near Mysuru in Karnataka has been honoured for his distinctive contribution to promoting reading and empowering learners across India.

Also selected is Armida Fernandes, a Mumbai-based paediatrician who established Asia’s first human milk bank, significantly improving survival prospects for infants.

The list further includes Bhagwandas Raikwar, a Bundeli war art trainer from Madhya Pradesh; Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda, a 90-year-old tribal Tarpa player from Maharashtra, whose instrument is made from bottle gourd and bamboo; and Brij Lal Bhat, a distinguished social worker from Jammu and Kashmir.

The award recognises individuals whose contributions in diverse fields have had a lasting social and cultural impact, often without public recognition.

With PTI inputs