Five Karnataka Achievers Honoured with Padma Shri Awards
President Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Shri awards to five distinguished personalities from Karnataka in recognition of their remarkable contributions to education, healthcare, science, industry, and public service.
In a prestigious ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Awards 2026 on distinguished individuals from across the country. Among the recipients were five achievers from Karnataka, who were honoured with the Padma Shri for their outstanding contributions in diverse fields.
Renowned educationist and philanthropist Dr. Prabhakar Kore was among those honoured. Through the KLE Society, he has played a key role in providing quality education to lakhs of students, particularly from rural backgrounds. His institutions have also expanded access to affordable and advanced healthcare services for thousands of people.
Scientist Dr. Shubha Venkatesh Iyengar was also recognised with the Padma Shri for her significant contributions to India’s defence and aerospace sectors. Her work in developing critical aviation technologies and strengthening indigenous defence capabilities has earned national recognition.
The late T.T. Jagannathan, former chairman of the Prestige Group, received the Padma Shri posthumously. Widely respected for transforming the company into a global brand, he was also known for making a safety-related pressure cooker innovation available for the benefit of the wider industry and consumers.
Dr. Suresh Hanagavadi, who dedicated his career to improving healthcare access for haemophilia patients, was another recipient of the honour. His efforts helped bring free treatment facilities for haemophilia patients into government hospitals, benefiting countless families across the country.
Former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati was also awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to public broadcasting and digital transformation. He played a major role in modernising Doordarshan and All India Radio, while also helping expand educational programming to millions of students.
The recognition of these five distinguished personalities highlights Karnataka’s contribution to the nation’s progress across multiple sectors. Their achievements continue to inspire future generations and reflect the spirit of innovation, service, and dedication.
