From Chami Murmu's work for afforestation to Jordan Lepcha of Sikkim who is nurturing the cultural heritage of the Lepcha tribe, the Padma awardees list is an eye-opener this time as well.
India s first woman elephant mahout Parbati Baruah, tribal environmentalist Chami Murmu, social worker Sangthankima, and plastic surgeon Prema Dhanraj are among the 34 unsung heroes awarded the Padma Shri on the eve of the 75th Republic Day. The list also includes South Andaman s organic farmer K Chellammal, international Mallakhamb coach Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, and renowned microbiologist Yazdi Maneksha Italia.