Ahead of the 71st Republic Day several awardees were honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri, from veterinarian who dedicated his life to conservation of Asian elephants to the oncologist who treated thousands of cancer patients at zero cost.

Ravi Kannan, also known Silchar’s saviour, is a surgical oncologist from Chennai, who has treated over 70,000 cancer patients free of cost in Barak valley. The treatment includes accommodation, food, employment and spreading awareness.

He is known to have transformed the rural cancer centre into a full-fledged hospital and research centre. He quit his job in Chennai and shifted to Assam with family in 2007 to make healthcare accessible in the Barak valley, where before his intervention, the nearest hospital was 300 km away.

Kushal Knowar Sarma, a veterinarian in Guwahati, has devoted his life to the conservation of Asian elephants. Interestingly, he has not taken a single weekend off in the last 30 years. He is acclaimed for treating more than 700 elephants every year.

He has pioneered research in elephant anesthetics, especially using remote tranquilizing injection technique.

Arunoday Mondal, also known as ‘Sunderban ke Sujan’ is a doctor who travels six hours every weekend to treat patients in remote Sundarban villages. More than 250 people, 80% of whom are poor, are treated every weekend across a range of treatments from heart to eyes, thyroid, gynaecology & paediatrics.

He also arranges medicines, conducts medical camps and blood donation drives. He set up Sujan Sundarban, a free medical service centre at his residence in Chandanpur after Bengal floods in the year 2000.

Trinity Saioo,a tribal farmer, has spearheaded a women-led farming movement in Meghalaya & enabled farmers to triple their incomes

An Oncologist, Ravi Kannan has treated 70000+ cancer patients free in Barak valley

Tulasi Gowda possesses vast knowledge of diverse plants & herbs pic.twitter.com/HMoDA4mQxx

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) January 25, 2020

The list also includes Yogi Aeron, known as Himalaya’s helping hand. He started Helping Hand, Dehradun, and is dedicated to providing medical help to the hill people. He treats over 500 patients free of cost every year. The patients include those suffering from burns or are mauled by animals. His patients are mostly poor, hill women from remote villages in the Himalayas. He has organized 14 days’ camps in remote villages for the last 13 years.

Munna Master, a Bhajan singer, is an epitome of India’s syncretic ethos.

Mohammed Sharif is a bicycle mechanic, who has performed last rites of 25000+ unclaimed bodies over last 25 years.

Radha Mohan & Sabarmatee have transformed 36 hectares of degraded land into a food forest. pic.twitter.com/wua5Kf6MEn

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) January 25, 2020

Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India , which were instituted in the year 1954, are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.