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- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

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Dreams, Discipline and Decades of Work: India’s Padma Awards for 2026

In India, the Padma Awards are more than medals; they are dreams. For countless citizens across villages, towns, and cities, the thought of being recognised by the nation for one’s life’s work carries deep emotional meaning. Winning a Padma Award is not about fame or wealth; it is about service, dedication, and impact that transcends personal success. Each year on Republic Day, when the list is announced, it tells a powerful story of India itself diverse, resilient, and driven by individuals who choose contribution over applause. For 2026, the President of India has approved 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, recognising excellence across art, public affairs, science, medicine, literature, sports, social work, civil service, and industry. Among them are 19 women awardees, 16 posthumous honours, and six recipients from the foreign/NRI/OCI category, reflecting the global and inclusive spirit of modern India.Understanding the Padma Awards: Civilian Honours of the Highest OrderInstituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours. Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually in March or April. What sets the Padma Awards apart is their reach. They celebrate not only national icons but also unsung heroes—teachers, folk artists, scientists, doctors, farmers, social reformers, and sportspersons—whose work may never trend online but has transformed lives on the ground.Image Source : EntrepreneurPadma Vibhushan 2026: Honouring Lives That Shaped the NationThe Padma Vibhushan awardees this year represent towering contributions across art, literature, and public life. Legendary actor Dharmendra Singh Deol, honoured posthumously, symbolised an era of Hindi cinema that blended simplicity with stardom. Classical violin maestro N Rajam stands as a beacon of Indian classical music, inspiring generations with discipline and grace. Former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandhan, also honoured posthumously, is remembered for his uncompromising stand on governance and public welfare. Jurist K T Thomas and scholar P Narayanan add intellectual depth to the list, reminding the nation that ideas and integrity shape history as much as power does.Image Source : Scroll.in, The News Minute , Law Reforms Commision  , The Hindu Padma Bhushan: Icons Who Defined ExcellenceThe Padma Bhushan list for 2026 features names instantly recognisable across India. Playback singer Alka Yagnik, whose voice became the soundtrack of millions of lives, is honoured for her immense contribution to Indian music. Actor Mammootty, a pillar of Indian cinema, is recognised for his artistic depth and decades-long influence. Former diplomat and public figure Bhagat Singh Koshyari, industrial leader Uday Kotak, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, and advertising visionary Piyush Pandey (posthumous) represent excellence across governance, business, sports, and creative communication. Their journeys show how sustained commitment over decades creates national impact.Image Source : Facebook , Gulte , Soul India , IMDb , IMPACT Magazine  Padma Shri: Celebrating India’s Unsung HeroesThe heart of the Padma Awards lies in the Padma Shri recipients. This year’s 113 awardees come from nearly every corner of the country and from fields as diverse as archaeology, agriculture, radio broadcasting, animal husbandry, folk art, medicine, and social service. From scientists like A E Muthunayagam to grassroots social workers like Budhri Tati, from sports figures such as Rohit Sharma , Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar and Savita Punia to cultural custodians like Sivasankari and Tarun Bhattacharya, the list reflects the everyday excellence that keeps India moving forward. Duo awardees and posthumous honours add emotional weight, acknowledging collective effort and lives dedicated fully to service. Image Source : The Hindu , India Today , NDTV Sports , x.comWomen, Youth, and Global Indians in the SpotlightA notable feature of the 2026 Padma Awards is the strong presence of women achievers, whose contributions span sports, medicine, art, science, and social work. Their recognition sends a powerful message to young girls across India that dedication and talent will be seen, regardless of barriers. The inclusion of awardees from Germany, Russia, the United States, and Georgia highlights India’s cultural and intellectual influence beyond borders, while posthumous honours ensure that those who served selflessly are remembered with dignity. The Padma Awards 2026 are not just a roll call of achievers; they are a mirror reflecting India’s soul. They remind the nation that greatness is not always loud, that service can take many forms, and that dreams when pursued with integrity can one day be honoured by the country itself.

27 Jan 2026
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Star Citizens

The Voice That Conquered Hearts: Suman Kalyanpur's Musical Odyssey

In the golden era of Hindi film music in the 1960s and 1970s, there were many great singers, but only a few left a lasting impact on the hearts of millions of music lovers. Suman Kalyanpur, with her soulful voice and melodious renditions, was one such singer who continues to be an inspiration to aspiring singers even today. This year, Suman Kalyanpur received the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian award, from the honorable President Droupadi Murmu, a testament to her remarkable career spanning over five decades. She was considered the best in the industry even while there were so-called legends. Suman Kalyanpur began her career in 1954 with her debut song "Koi Pukare Dheere Se Tujhe" for the film Mangu. From then on, she never looked back. She went on to sing for movies in several languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Bengali, Odia, and Punjabi.  The Marathi language has witnessed a musical revolution with an array of unforgettable songs that have left an indelible mark on people's hearts. Among the many gems, "Nimbonichya Zadamaage," "Jithe Sagara Dharni Milte," "Are Sansara" and Ketakichya Bani Tithe Nachla Mor" have reached soaring heights of popularity, captivating audiences with their enchanting melodies and soulful lyrics. These songs have become an integral part of Marathi culture, evoking intense emotions and memories that will stay with us forever. She collaborated with some of the greatest singers of her time, such as Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Hemant Kumar, and Manna Dey, and made significant contributions to the Indian music industry. Suman Kalyanpur's voice touched the hearts of many music lovers. Her unique identity in the industry was carved out of her immense talent and hard work. She was one of the most respected singers in the Indian music industry and received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. Suman Kalyanpur and Mohammed Rafi performed over 140 duets together, with "Aaj Kal Tere Mere" possibly being the best. She has sung for some of the most iconic songs in Hindi cinema, leaving a legacy that will live on forever. Some notable songs are "Parbaton Ke Pedon Par" (Shagun, 1964), "Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye" (Rajkumar, 1964), "Baad Muddat Ke Yeh Ghadi Aaye" (Jahan Ara, 1964), and "Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain" (1965). Suman Kalyanpur's unbridled love for music and unwavering commitment to her artistry has ignited a spark of inspiration in the hearts of millions. Her musical legacy is set to blaze a trail that will last an eternity, serving as a guiding light for generations to come.

25 Mar 2023
Star Citizens

Meet 90 Year Old Great Soul Who Dedicated His Life Serving the Society

Darshan Lal Jain (90) is a great soul who in spite of being born into a rich family never indulged in wealth, instead, he chose to dedicate his life to serving society. The nonagenarian has made significant contributions in varied spheres for the welfare of the society. Jain was born in an influential industrialist family of Yamunanagar district in Haryana.  From a very young age, he was sharp-minded and had a sense of patriotism. He was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi. During British rule, he defied the khadi ban and was among the few students who wore khadi to school. At the tender age of 15, he participated in the Quit India Movement. Jain is a crusader of education and worked tirelessly for the education of girls and poor children. He set up numerous schools in Haryana and was the founder secretary of DAV College for Girls, Yamunanagar, the first girls’ college in the region that was set up in 1957. During Emergency, Jain was imprisoned for two years and declined to accept the offer of conditional release from the Central government. In 1999, Jain established the Saraswati Nadi Shodh Sansthan and launched a project to revive the Saraswati river. He worked relentlessly to bring back the glory of the holy river. Apart from this, he has also been working to establish the honour of our valiant kings and soldiers and freedom fighters. Although he was requested from many quarters to join politics he refused the offers and continued to work as a social worker. Even at the age of 90, he continues to work with a firm resolve. We can learn many lessons in compassion, dedication and hard work from his exemplary life. Image Source: TerseBOX

13 Sep 2019
Star Citizens

Teejan Bai – The Connoisseur of Pandavani Art Who Fought All Odds to Keep Her Passion Alive

As a young girl, Teejan Bai would listen to her grandmother sing stories from the Mahabharata which was recited in Chattisgarhi Hindi. She was so fascinated by the musical rendition that she soon memorized it and later got herself informally trained in this art which is called Pandavani. She gave her first performance in a neighbouring village at the age of 13 and then there was no looking back. There are generally two styles of singing Pandavani- one is the Vedamati style in which traditionally women would sit and sing. The other is the Kapalik shaili (style) which only men performed while standing. Teejan Bai defied tradition and became the first woman to adopt the Kapalik style of singing for which she faced much opposition. Teejan Bai sang with such enthusiasm and unmistakable verve that she instantly became a hit and was invited to sing at numerous occasions and festivals even in neighbouring villages. Her lucky break came when she was noticed by poet and actor Habib Tanvir who was impressed by her talent and he invited her to perform for then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. She received national and international recognition and as a cultural ambassador, she flew to countries as far as England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, Cyprus, Romania and Mauritius. For her bold stand on singing Pandavani which was generally performed by men, Teejan Bai was expelled by her community. Not to be deterred by exclusion, she built herself a small hut and started living on her own, but never stopped singing Pandavani which had by now become a way of life. For the proficiency in her art and her immense talent, Teejan Bai was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995, Padma Shri in 1988, and Padma Bhushan in 2003. This year she was conferred with Padma Vibhushan- nation’s second-highest civilian honour. Teejan Bai, now 63, feels honoured and grateful for the awards bestowed on her. She wishes to preserve this culture and art of Chattisgarh and is therefore, teaching Pandavani art to the young generation. She has already trained more than 200 girls and will continue to remain an inspiration to young art lovers.

22 Aug 2019
Star Citizens

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