The Padma Shri Award 2025 honored Radha Bhatt from Uttarakhand, along with Hugh and Colleen Gantzer, for their lifelong dedication to social service, travel literature, and cultural preservation. Their stories continue to inspire generations across India, especially in Uttarakhand, where grassroots change and storytelling walk hand in hand.
Padma Shri Award 2025
If you're searching for Padma Shri Award 2025 winners from Uttarakhand, here’s your complete answer. In the Civil Investiture Ceremony held in New Delhi, the President of India honored three distinguished personalities, including Uttarakhand’s legendary social activist Radha Bhatt. Alongside her, famous travel writers Hugh Gantzer and his late wife Colleen Gantzer received the Padma Shri Award 2025 for their work in literature and education.
Radha Bhatt – Uttarakhand’s Icon of Rural Women Empowerment
Born on October 16, 1933, in a remote part of Uttarakhand, Radha Bhatt dedicated her life to rural development, women empowerment, and environmental protection. From a young age, she noticed the lack of educational opportunities for girls. At just 16, she joined Lakshmi Ashram in Kausani, established by Sarla Behn, and began her journey as a Gandhian social worker.
Between 1961 and 1963, she led a Gandhian experiment in Baugaad village (Pithoragarh) promoting education, forest conservation, children’s activities, women’s empowerment, and self-reliant rural governance.
Her international experience includes social work visits to Denmark and Scandinavia. In 1966, she became the head of Lakshmi Ashram and led anti-alcohol campaigns in Almora. She has spoken in USA, UK, Poland, and China on education and rural development.
Radha Bhatt’s role in the Chipko Movement (1975) and anti-mining campaigns helped save 300+ acres of land and led to planting over 160,000 trees. In 2008, she launched the Nadi Bachao Movement (Save the River). She has walked over 79,000 kilometers, organizing rural women across Uttarakhand and beyond.
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She has led multiple Gandhian organizations and authored books translated into global languages. Radha Bhatt has received many awards including the Jamnalal Bajaj Award, Godavari Award, Indira Priyadarshini Award, Muni Santbal Award, and the Swami Ram Humanitarian Award.
Hugh & Colleen Gantzer – Legendary Travel Writers Honored in 2025
Hugh Gantzer, born on January 9, 1931 in Patna, is a former Indian Navy officer turned travel writer. After retiring in 1973, he and his wife Colleen Gantzer explored the cultural and geographic richness of India, writing extensively to showcase India to the world.
Together, they authored over 3,000 travel articles and more than 30 books. Their travel documentaries for Doordarshan, like “Looking Beyond” and “Take a Break with Hugh and Colleen Gantzer,” brought Indian destinations to Indian living rooms.
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Hugh believed India’s unmatched diversity created a heritage of unique festivals, traditions, and handicrafts. Their writings are deeply researched and sensitive, revealing the hidden side of Indian culture on national and global platforms.
Colleen Gantzer, known for her keen observations and thoughtful writing, played a vital role in connecting Indian culture with international audiences. Hugh often credited her as the true inspiration behind their work.
Their work earned many accolades such as the D.C. Mehta Award, National Tourism Award 2012, Pacific Area Travel Association Gold Award, Pride of the Community Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Government in tourism.
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