Padma Awards: MS Dhoni, Sakshi Malik & PV Sindhu among front runners

Sports sensations — Sakshi Malik, who won India her first medal in women wrestling at Rio Olympics, Badminton star PV Sindhu, who won a silver at Rio and cricket wizard former Indian captain MS Dhoni are among the front runners for 120 Padma Awards for the year 2016 that will be conferred on this Republic Day.

Noted social activist from Madhya Pradesh, Alok Sagar is also among the probables for the prestigious Padma. An ex-IIT Delhi Professor, Sagar left his lucrative job in 1982 to serve tribals, work for the upliftment of tribal women and to preserve environment. He has been living in Kochamu, a little known place bereft of electricity or roads. Sagar also has a PhD from Houston University in Texas, US and taught former-RBI governor Raghuram Rajan.

The most inspiring name among the Padma winners though is Sukri Bomma Gowda, the powerful singer from little known Halakki Vokkaliga tribe of Karnataka. Lovingly called Sukri Ajii is said to have done wonders through her strong and expressive poetry and singing to fight against oppressive laws and perceptions that are roadblocks in the progress of her dwindling tribe. A Padma to Sukri Ajii could help preserve the disappearing treasure troves of unwritten culture.