IndianGaurav

Heroes from Gujarat

People from the state of Gujarat whose work we have profiled.

Showing 25–37 of 37 heroes

MB

Malji bhai Desai

A Gandhian from Patan who founded the Gandhi Ashram at Zilia in 1964 and has set up more than 30 schools in north Gujarat, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Gujarat
MH

Mir Haji Kasam

A Junagadh dholak player known as Haji Ramakdu, playing Gujarati folk music for over sixty years, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.

  • Padma Shri 2026
  • Gujarat
NM

Nilesh Mandlewala

The founder of Donate Life, known as the "Organ Man of India", whose work has led to over 1,300 donations, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.

  • Padma Shri 2026
  • Gujarat
President Droupadi Murmu presenting the Padma Bhushan to Pankaj Patel at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Pankaj Patel

The chairman of Zydus Lifesciences, who led the development of new Indian medicines and vaccines, honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2025.

  • Padma Bhushan 2025
  • Gujarat
PR

Pareshbhai Rathwa

A Pithora painter from Chhota Udaipur who has taken his community's ritual wall art to galleries and metro walls, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023.

  • Padma Shri 2023
  • Gujarat
RC

Raghuveer Chaudhari

A Gujarati novelist, poet and critic with more than 125 books and a Jnanpith Award, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.

  • Padma Shri 2024
  • Gujarat
Portrait of Ratan Parimoo

Ratan Parimoo

A Baroda painter and art historian who pioneered the study of modern Indian art, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2025.

  • Padma Shri 2025
  • Gujarat
Portrait of Ratilal Borisagar

Ratilal Borisagar

A Gujarati humour writer and teacher from Savarkundla, author of Marak Marak and many books of light essays, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.

  • Padma Shri 2026
  • Gujarat
S

Sachidanand

A Gujarati monk and writer whose Dantali ashram runs old-age homes and welfare work, honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2022.

  • Padma Bhushan 2022
  • Gujarat
SB

Savaji Bhai Dholakia

A Surat diamond merchant who founded Hari Krishna Exports and has built village lakes, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Gujarat
Portrait of Tejas Madhusudan Patel

Tejas Madhusudan Patel

An Ahmedabad cardiologist known for transradial and telerobotic procedures who has trained thousands, honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2024.

  • Padma Shri 2015
  • Padma Bhushan 2024
  • Gujarat
Portrait of Tushar Shukla

Tushar Shukla

A Gujarati poet and songwriter, formerly of All India Radio, whose songs are used as anthems and taught in schools, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2025.

  • Padma Shri 2025
  • Gujarat
YM

Yazdi Maneksha Italia

A Valsad scientist who set up India's first sickle cell clinic and designed Gujarat's sickle cell programme, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.

  • Padma Shri 2024
  • Gujarat