Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Celebrate 14 Distinguished Padma Award Recipients
The prestigious Padma awards have brought significant recognition to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with fourteen exceptional individuals from these regions being honored this year. The distinguished list includes former Veerappan hunter K Vijay Kumar, celebrated Tamil writer Sivasankari, and former Tamil Nadu health minister H V Hande, among other notable personalities from various fields.
Padma Bhushan Honors for Industrialist, Doctor, and Tennis Legend
Industrialist S K M Maeilanandhan, renowned gastroenterologist Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy, and tennis legend Vijay Amritharaj have been awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan. Dr. Palaniswamy holds particular significance for establishing the gastroenterology department at Stanley Medical College back in 1986, marking a milestone in medical education and healthcare services in the region.
Recognition for Law Enforcement and Literary Excellence
K Vijay Kumar, a distinguished 1975-batch IPS officer who played a crucial role in ending the menace of forest brigand Veerappan, expressed that this award represents recognition for the entire team that worked tirelessly on this challenging mission. Meanwhile, writer Sivasankari, whose career spans over five remarkable decades, has focused her literary work on exploring women's lives, social inequalities, family structures, and gender dynamics through her powerful storytelling.
"Being a writer for fifty-seven years, I feel immensely satisfied and fulfilled. Young writers should read extensively and write with genuine conviction and truth," Sivasankari shared, offering valuable advice to the next generation of literary talents.
Healthcare Pioneers and Educational Leaders Honored
Former health minister H V Hande, who served in MGR's cabinet, continues to inspire at ninety-eight years old. "Since the time I practised medicine, I made sure never to let any patient walk away because they lacked financial resources," the dedicated doctor emphasized, highlighting his lifelong commitment to accessible healthcare.
IIT Madras director Kamakoti, a Padma Shri recipient, expressed his determination to contribute more significantly toward the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Educationalist K Ramasamy, former Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, received the Padma Shri for his extensive work that extends beyond his contributions as a member of the state planning commission.
Artistic and Cultural Contributions Celebrated
The artistic community received well-deserved recognition with several Padma Shri awards:
- Othuvar Swaminathan dedicated his award to Dharmapuram Adheenam, which nurtured his development, seeing this honor as a victory for those dedicated to ‘thevaram’ and ‘thirumurai’ renditions
- Sisters Ranjani Balasubramanian and Gayatri Subramanian have been performing Carnatic vocal concerts together since 1997
- K Pajanivel, a silambam artist from Puducherry and recipient of the 2012 Kalamamani award from the Puducherry government
- Artist K Krishnan from the Nilgiris district received the Padma Shri posthumously for his paintings depicting the Hal Kurumba people
- Mridangam artist Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam was honored for his six-decade contribution to Carnatic music
- Sculptor Raja Sthapathi from Salem, celebrating his golden jubilee in sculpture, creates magnificent works for temples worldwide
Traditional Medicine and Veterinary Contributions
Siddha doctor Punniamurthy Natesan earned the Padma Shri for his pioneering work in ethno-veterinary medicine, preserving and advancing traditional healing practices for animals. This recognition highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in contemporary healthcare approaches.
The diverse range of Padma award recipients from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry demonstrates the region's rich contributions across multiple sectors including law enforcement, literature, healthcare, education, sports, and cultural preservation. These honors celebrate both individual excellence and collective progress, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence in their respective fields while contributing meaningfully to society.
