The Government of India announced the Padma Awards on Republic Day, recognising exceptional contributions across fields. Among the Padma Shri awardees are Dr. Narayan Vyas, a senior archaeologist from Ujjain, and Raghupratap Singh, a farmer from Muradabad. Their families are celebrating this prestigious honour.
Dr. Narayan Vyas shared with reporters that persistent effort pays off. “I have been aspiring for this recognition since 2017. I am delighted to receive the Padma Shri now. For years, I have been dedicated to Archaeology,” he said.
Dr. Vyas revealed that his father was a freedom fighter, and a landmark in Ujjain, Daulatganj Chauraha, is named after him. “My father loved antiquities, which influenced my own interests. I completed my MA in Archaeology and travelled extensively, deepening my passion despite financial challenges. I even started selling books to support myself,” he added.
Later, Dr. Vyas joined the Archaeological Survey of India and retired in 2009. Since then, he has devoted himself fully to preserving historical heritage. He also conducts educational sessions to spread awareness about archaeology among students. Notably, he has collected soil samples from 150 sites linked to martyrs’ birthplaces.
Dr. Vyas’s significant contributions have helped bring the ancient heritage of Ujjain and the Malwa region to national and international attention.
Meanwhile, Raghupratap Singh, a farmer from Bilari village in Muradabad, was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri. He passed away on 1 July 2025. Singh dedicated his life to cultivating extinct vegetable varieties and conserving seeds. His son, Surendra Pal Singh, will receive the award on his behalf.
TrendingAccording to Surendra Pal, his father had been active in Agriculture since 1980, focusing on reviving lost crops, seed purification, developing new varieties, and supplying seeds to universities. He had been honoured by institutions like Pantnagar University and was affectionately known as ‘Krishi Pandit’ in his community.
Surendra Pal noted that his father initially faced challenges as people were unaware of these plants, but he gradually began cultivating vegetable plants and now maintains around 36 varieties of kidney beans. Despite multiple attempts, this year marked the first time his father was conferred the Padma Shri, bringing great joy to the family. The entire family continues to uphold his agricultural legacy.
