"Focus remains on tribal children, fight against malnutrition": Dr Ramchandra, Suneet Godbole to be conferred Padma Shri
New Delhi, May 24
Dr Ramchandra Godbole and Suneeta Godbole will be conferred with Padma Shri for their social work in the field of healthcare for tribal communities in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Dr Godbole urged that the focus of the nation should be to tackle malnutrition among tribal people.
Expressing joy on being conferred the Padma award, Dr Ramchandra Godbole also expressed challenges in fighting malnutrition and called for everyone's participation in the social work.
He told ANI, "There is no comparison to the joy we feel. Receiving the Padma award fills us with pride. Our focus remains on tribal children and the fight against malnutrition. This issue must be highlighted. People are not sensitive to the tribal people. Fighting malnutrition is a long and difficult battle that requires everyone's participation."
According to the Centre, the eminent social worker duo has dedicated more than 40 years to the upliftment and healthcare of tribal communities in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
They have worked in the remote Naxal-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, addressing malnutrition and improving healthcare access.
They dedicated their lives to ensuring essential healthcare reaches those who otherwise have little or no access to medical facilities and promoting humanitarian tasks at the grassroots level, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said.
According to a press note from the Union Home Ministry, for the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes six persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 16 posthumous awardees.
Padma Vibhushan has been conferred to actor Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous), KT Thomas, N Rajam, P Narayanan and former Keralam CM VS Achuthanandan (Posthumous).
— ANI
Reader Comments
I wish more people understood the challenges in tribal areas. My village in Odisha has similar issues—children missing school due to hunger. The Godboles have shown what dedication looks like. But we need government action too, not just awards.
Dr Godbole's words hit hard: "People are not sensitive to tribal people." So true. We live in cities and forget that malnutrition still kills children in remote India. Kudos to this couple for their lifelong service. Let's hope this award brings more attention to the cause.
Finally, some recognition for grassroots workers! While we celebrate Bollywood stars getting Padma awards, these unsung heroes work in Naxal-hit areas. More power to them. 🇮🇳
As someone who volunteers with tribal health programs in Gujarat, I can relate. Malnutrition is complex—it's about access to nutritious food, clean water, and education. The Godboles' work is commendable. I just wish the government's mid-day meal scheme reached these remote areas better.
Very happy for them! But let's be real—one Padma award won't solve malnutrition. We need systematic changes: better roads to remote villages, proper anganwadi centers, and nutritional supplements for pregnant tribal women. The Godboles have done their part; now it's on the government.
This is what true service looks like—40 years in Bastar, away from comforts. Meanwhile, we see people getting Padma awards for political loyalty. At least this duo deserves it
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