26 unsung heroes received Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day

On the eve of Republic Day, on Wednesday, 26 unsung heroes, including Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis, were announced to be given the prestigious Padma Samman. Mahalanabis returned from the US to serve in refugee camps from the 1971 Bangladesh War and promoted the use of "ORS" solution worldwide, which saved more than 50 million lives. Mahalanabis (87) of West Bengal has been posthumously selected for the country's second highest civilian honor Padma Vibhushan this year, officials said. The names announced for the Padma awards include 12 from Maharashtra, eight each from Karnataka and Gujarat.

Retired government doctor of Andaman and Nicobar Ratan Chandra Kar, social worker Hirabai Lobi, ex-serviceman Munishwar Chander Davar have been selected for Padma Shri. Ratan Chandra Kar is working with the Jarawa tribe in the Nicobar Islands, while Davar is engaged in serving marginalized people in Madhya Pradesh.

Naga social worker Ramkuiwangbe Nume has been selected for the Padma Shri. He preserved and promoted the indigenous Heraka culture through awareness camps and programs and established 10 primary schools and encouraged women's education. Those selected for the Padma Shri include 'Kannur's Gandhi' VP Appukuttan Poduval as well as snake catcher Masi Sadaiyan and Gopal and organic farmer Tula Ram Upreti from Sikkim.