Chandigarh: The Punjab government has sent 13 names from the state for the Padma Awards to be announced on Republic Day, 26 January 2026. Officials said the list includes eminent personalities from social service, arts, agriculture, sports, journalism and industry who have made outstanding contributions in their fields and inspired society at large.
The recommended names include Punjabi singer Babbu Maan, Bollywood playback singer Sukhwinder Singh, world-renowned marathon runner Fauja Singh, businessman Jawahar Lal Oswal, social workers Narinder Singh and Bhuriwal Baba Kashmir Singh, embroidery artisan Arun Kumar, farmer Bhajan Singh Shergill, Bhai Gurikbal Singh, journalist Jatinder Pannu, Dr. Hariminder Singh Sidhu, writer Birinder Singh Masti, and Sant Baba Sukha Singh.
Among them, the name of 113-year-old Fauja Singh has drawn special attention, as he is globally recognised for his longevity and achievements in athletics. Artists such as Babbu Maan and Sukhwinder Singh have been credited with taking Punjabi music and culture to new heights.
The government said that the industrial contributions of Jawahar Lal Oswal, along with the efforts of Bhajan Singh Shergill and Dr. Hariminder Singh Sidhu in the field of agriculture, have been widely acknowledged at the national level.
