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Padma Shri Nomination · 2026

Why Dr. Dash Deserves
This National Honour

The Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service of a high order. Dr. P. K. Dash's case — built on extraordinary clinical volume, free service, teaching excellence, Covid-era duty and institutional leadership — stands among the most compelling in Medicine.

About the Award

The Padma Shri — India's Fourth Highest Civilian Honour

Instituted in 1954 by the Government of India, the Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honours of the country, presented by the President of India. The Padma Shri is awarded for "distinguished service in any field." As of 2025, a total of 483 individuals have received the Padma Shri in the field of Medicine.

What It Recognises

Distinguished service in any field — art, medicine, education, sports, social work, science, trade. The Padma Shri specifically rewards individuals who have made notable contributions that benefit society. Nominations are open to all citizens without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex.

Selection Process

Nominations submitted online via the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. Reviewed by the Padma Awards Committee constituted by the Prime Minister. Recommendations submitted to the Prime Minister and President for final approval. Awardees announced on Republic Day every year.

Presented By

The President of India, at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically in March or April each year. The award is given in the form of a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President, and a medallion.

The Case for Dr. Dash

Five Pillars of a Compelling Nomination

Pillar 01
Scale of Clinical Impact — Documented Volume
Before Capital Hospital, Dr. Dash performed more than 22,000 Balloon Mitral Valvotomy procedures and a similar volume of pediatric ASD/VSD/PDA device closures. After joining as Director on 16 December 2019, he completed 7,500+ cath-lab procedures and more than 1,20,000 outpatient consultations with echocardiography — covering angiography, angioplasty, device work, pacemakers, EP testing and ablation.
Pillar 02
Free & Charitable Healthcare Across States
For 23 years at SSSIHMS he served a free tertiary hospital for the poorest, including the trust of pacemaker implantation for Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He has been associated with 45+ free mega cardiac camps across about six states, reaching nearly two lakh patients, plus Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samiti camps in remote Odisha and RBSK children's screening.
Pillar 03
Teacher of Teachers — Generational Impact
He has trained more than 30 postgraduate cardiology students including five gold medalists; guided about 500 examination-going PG cardiology students across India; and mentored 100+ students in cardiology and non-coronary intervention. A great doctor saves lives directly; a great teacher saves lives through every student he shapes.
Pillar 04
Strengthening Cardiac Care in Odisha
By returning to Capital Hospital / PGIMER and serving evenings at Hi-Tech Medical College as Professor & Director of Cardiology, Dr. Dash helped reduce outside-state referral for advanced cardiac procedures to almost negligible levels. He works from about 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., building public-system capacity for millions of citizens.
Pillar 05
Compassion, Sacrifice & Patient Trust
He treats every patient as family. During Covid he continued hospital duty even while his wife, late Dr. Puspa Kumari Devi, was on her deathbed and later passed away — and was recognised as a Covid warrior. Patients from remote areas travel specifically to him because they trust his skill and humanity. This is the service the Padma Shri was created to honour.
1954
Year Padma Awards Instituted
483
Padma Shri Recipients in Medicine (as of 2025)
139
Total Padma Awards 2025
120
Max Awards Per Year