New Delhi/Gandhinagar: The Central Government has officially announced the Padma Awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, recognizing exceptional contributions across various fields including art, social work, literature, education, health, and public welfare. Among the distinguished recipients, three personalities from Gujarat have been selected for the Padma Shri.
GUJARAT’S TRIO OF EXCELLENCE
The government has recognized the following individuals from Gujarat for their distinguished service:
- Mir Haji Kasam (Junagadh): Honoured in the field of Art (Folk Music/Dholak).
- Dharmiklal Pandya (Vadodara): Honoured in the field of Art (Manbhatt tradition).
- Nilesh Mandlewala (Surat): Honoured in the field of Social Work (Organ Donation).
PROFILE: MIR HAJIBHAI KASAMBHAI (ART)
Hailing from Junagadh, Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai is being honoured with the Padma Shri for his significant contribution to the field of art. Popularly known among the masses as ‘Haji Ramakdu’, he is renowned for his unique style of playing the Dholak.
His musical expertise spans across Bhajans, Santvani, Ghazals, and Qawwali. A dedicated artist, he has performed the Dholak in over 3,000 programs dedicated to cows and has completed more than 1,000 stage performances during his career.
PROFILE: NILESH VINODCHANDRA MANDLEWALA (SOCIAL WORK)
Surat-based Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala has been conferred with the Padma Shri for his extensive work in the social sector. He is recognized as a pioneer of the organ donation movement in Gujarat and is the founder of the ‘Donate Life’ organization.
His journey began due to personal challenges; after his father suffered kidney failure in 1997 and required regular dialysis starting in 2004, Mandlewala witnessed the difficulties patients faced. Consequently, he launched a kidney donation service from Surat in 2006.
This campaign eventually expanded to include the donation of the liver, pancreas, heart, bones, lungs, small intestine, hands, and uterus. Through the relentless efforts of the Donate Life organization, over 1,300 organs and tissues have been donated to date.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Alongside the Gujarat recipients, the government announced awards for several other notable figures, including Brajlal Bhatt, Budhri Tati, Bhagwan Das, Dr. Shyam Sunder, and Charan Hembram.
Complete List of Padma Award Winners:
| S.No. | Name of Winner |
|---|---|
| 1 | Anke Gowda |
| 2 | Armida Fernandez |
| 3 | Bhagwandas Raikwar |
| 4 | Bhikalya Ladkya Dhinda |
| 5 | Braj Lal Bhatt |
| 6 | Budhri Tati |
| 7 | Charan Hembram |
| 8 | Chiranji Lal Yadav |
| 9 | Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya |
| 10 | Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi |
| 11 | Halli Var |
| 12 | Inderjit Singh Sidhu |
| 13 | K. PajaniVel |
| 14 | Kailash Chandra Pant |
| 15 | Khemraj Sundriyal |
| 16 | Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G. |
| 17 | Kumarasamy Thangaraj |
| 18 | Mahendra Kumar Mishra |
| 19 | Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai |
| 20 | Mohan Nagar |
| 21 | Naresh Chandra Debbarma |
| 22 | Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala |
| 23 | Nuruddin Ahmed |
| 24 | Othuvar Thiruthani Swaminathan |
| 25 | Padma Gurmet |
| 26 | Pokhila Lekthepi |
| 27 | Punniamoorthy Natesan |
| 28 | R. Krishnan |
| 29 | Raghupat Singh |
| 30 | Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar |
| 31 | Rajasthapathi Kalippa Gounder |
| 32 | Rama Reddy Mamidi |
| 33 | Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole |
| 34 | S. G. Susheelamma |
| 35 | Sangyusang S. Pongener |
| 36 | Shafi Shauq |
| 37 | Shrirang Dewaba Lad |
| 38 | Shyam Sunder |
| 39 | Simanchal Patro |
| 40 | Suresh Hanagavadi |
| 41 | Taga Ram Bhil |
| 42 | Techi Gubin |
| 43 | Tiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam |
| 44 | Vishwa Bandhu |
| 45 | Yumanam Jatra Singh |
ABOUT THE PADMA AWARDS
The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours in the country, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The awards are categorized into three tiers:
- Padma Vibhushan: For exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan: For distinguished service of a high order.
- Padma Shri: For distinguished service in any field.
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These awards recognize achievements in diverse disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.