INDIA
Manganiyar Folk Singer from Jodhpur known for his bhajans and sufi kalaams - one of few remaining masters of the Sindhi Sarangi
Indo-American Soil Scientist known for his work in soil conservation across 4 continents - winner of World Food Prize
Distinguished Handloom Artist from Patiala - promoting Phulkari embroidery for over 4 decades
Bangladesh Liberation War Heroine - Co-Founder of Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha and Chhayanaut, nurturing Bengali culture
String Puppeteer from Puducherry, performing for the last 4 decades - performances for educational purposes and social messages
Social Worker from Jalandhar who has been taking care of abandoned girls for 3 decades - after herself being abandoned as a child
Longest living commentator of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra - contributed to revival of dying art of Pala
Marathi Writer, Journalist and Teacher from Vidarbha - published over 15 novels and story collections furthering unity and convergence
Mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh - Fastest woman mountaineer in the world to climb Mt Everest from India
Hindi litterateur from Kurukshetra - credited for discovering 17th to 19th century Hindi literary works in Gurumukhi manuscripts