Balti Poet and Author from Kargil - working for the preservation and promotion of Balti language and culture

Eminent Computer Scientist and Machine Inhtelligence expert - First Woman director of the Indian Statistical Institute

Renowned History and Policy Scholar - specialising in the study of Indian Society

Acclaimed Kathak Dancer duo from Agra - known for teaching and propagating it globally

Acclaimed Kathak Dancer duo from Agra - known for teaching and propagating it globally

Tribal Ao Author, Teacher and Journalist - preserving Nagaland's Ao language through his writings over decades

Veteran Embroidery Artist - reviving and modernising Chamba Rumali artwork

Spiritual Leader from Goa - Peethadishwar of the Shree Datta Padmanabh Peeth

Eminent Sikh Social Worker and Spiritual leader - dedicated his life to accessible quality education (Posthumous)

Renowned Hindi Author from Lucknow - with over 3000 works to her credit in folk and children's literature