Anushka Prasad
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours and are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The awards are conferred across various disciplines and fields of activity, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service, among others.
Women Recognised for Work Across Fields
This year, the awards include 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. Nineteen of the awardees are women, recognised for their work across different fields.
1. Alka Yagnik – Maharashtra
Category – Art
Alka Yagnik is one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, with a career spanning nearly five decades. She has sung thousands of songs in multiple Indian languages and remains a defining voice of Hindi cinema.
2. Armida Fernandez – Maharashtra
Category – Medicine
Dr Armida Fernandez is a pioneering neonatologist who played a key role in improving newborn care in India. She is best known for establishing Asia’s first human milk bank.
3. Deepika Reddy – Telangana
Category – Art
Deepika Reddy is a renowned Kuchipudi dancer and choreographer. She has worked extensively to preserve and promote classical Indian dance in contemporary spaces.
4. Gayatri Balasubramanian – Tamil Nadu
Category – Art
Gayatri Balasubramanian is a leading Carnatic vocalist known for her strong classical grounding. She performs widely in India and abroad as part of the Ranjani–Gayatri duo.
5. Ranjani Balasubramanian – Tamil Nadu
Category – Art
Ranjani Balasubramanian is an acclaimed Carnatic singer celebrated for her versatility. Along with her sister, she has helped make classical music more accessible to younger audiences.
6. Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar – Punjab
Category – Sports
Harmanpreet Kaur is the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. She is known for her aggressive batting and leadership on the international stage.
7. Savita Punia – Haryana
Category – Sports
Savita Punia is a senior goalkeeper and former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team. She has been instrumental in India’s recent successes in international hockey.
8. Kalamandalam Vimala Menon – Kerala
Category – Art
Kalamandalam Vimala Menon is a respected classical artist associated with Kerala’s traditional performing arts. Her work focuses on preserving heritage art forms.
9. Kollakal Devaki Amma G. – Kerala
Category – Social Work
Devaki Amma has dedicated her life to community service and social welfare. Her grassroots work has had a lasting impact on people in her region.
10. Budhri Tati – Chhattisgarh
Category – Social Work
Budhri Tati is a tribal social worker who has worked for the rights and welfare of indigenous communities. She is known for preserving tribal culture and traditions.
11. Pokhila Lekthepi – Assam
Category – Art
Pokhila Lekthepi is a folk artist who has helped keep Assam’s traditional art forms alive. Her work reflects the cultural identity of rural Assam.
12. Sivasankari – Tamil Nadu
Category – Literature and Education
Sivasankari is a well-known Tamil writer whose works focus on women and social issues. She has made significant contributions to regional literature.
13. Mangala Kapoor – Delhi
Category – Literature and Education
Mangala Kapoor has contributed extensively to education and literary initiatives. Her work has focused on learning, culture, and social awareness.
14. S. G. Susheelamma – Karnataka
Category – Social Work
Susheelamma is a dedicated social worker who has worked closely with marginalised communities. Her efforts focus on welfare and empowerment at the grassroots level.
15. Tripti Mukherjee – West Bengal
Category – Art
Tripti Mukherjee is a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist. She has also been an influential teacher, mentoring several young musicians.
16. Dr Padma Gurmet – Ladakh
Category – Medicine
Dr Padma Gurmet is a senior gynaecologist who has served remote areas of Ladakh for decades. She has played a key role in improving women’s healthcare in the region.
17. Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar – Karnataka
Category – Science and Engineering
Shubha Iyengar is a scientist known for her work in engineering and applied sciences. She has contributed to research and innovation in her field.
18. Liudmila Viktorovna Khokhlova – Russia
Category – Literature and Education
Liudmila Khokhlova is a Russian scholar who has promoted Indian culture and languages abroad. She has worked to strengthen cultural ties between India and Russia.
19. Anke Gowda M. – Karnataka
Category – Social Work
Anke Gowda is a grassroots activist working for social development in rural Karnataka. Her efforts focus on community upliftment and welfare.
