Feeling more humbled after meeting other Padma Awardees: Dr Sagdev

Nagpur/Kochi: Dr Dhananjay Sagdeo, born and brought up in Nagpur and now serving in Wayanad district of Kerala, received the Padma Shri honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Speaking to TOI soon after the ceremony, he said, “I am feeling more humbled after seeing and knowing fellow Padma awardees.”
“The People’s Padma is a new concept that is bringing many unknown personalities to limelight. These great human beings have dedicated their lifetimes for some cause. It is an honour for being one among them,” said Dr Sagdeo.
Dr Sagdeo, who is serving tribals, said that is his “life’s mission” and “it will continue”. “I am feeling fortunate that the work done by me was noticed. Eventually, it’s team work. I have accepted the award for the entire team involved in Vivekananda Medical Mission that works in tribal India,” he added.
Dr Sagdeo said that he would take forward his mission to empower the tribal community by providing them better health, education and making them self-reliant. Terming the award as the biggest recognition of his service, Dr Sagdeo said he is looking forward to celebrating with the Vivekananda team and the tribals who he has been serving for four decades.
“I am happy that I could personally meet the top leaders of our nation at the award ceremony. Narendra Modiji met each of the awardees and gave me a pat on the back while talking. Though it was a brief interaction, it was the biggest encouragement to continue my work,” said Sagdeo.
While many Padma awardees chose to wear traditional attires of their respective states, Dr Sagdeo went to collect his award from President Ram Nath Kovind in a simple half-sleeve shirt and trousers. “There was no discussion about what I should wear in my family. I wear the same type of clothes everyday so nothing special was for Padma ceremony,” he said.
Dr Sagdeo was accompanied by his wife Sujatha and daughter Dr Gayatri who is doing post graduation in AIIMS Patna. His brother Wg Cdr Vinay Sagdeo was also present at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“It was a lifetime moment for all of us when he marched towards the podium. Vice president Dr Venkaiah Naidu, PM Narendra Modi and others greeted him. He got a standing ovation,” said Wg Cdr Sagdeo.
He said the Covid pandemic had affected his work. Dr Sagdeo now plans to revamp a five-point project which will focus on tribal health, education, self-reliance, moral values and social inclusion.
“Besides the Covid vaccination and awareness programmes, there is a need to strengthen the work related to the pneumococcal and sickle cell disease vaccinations too. We have been helping the government with this. As PM Modi called for atmanibharata, tribal people need to be skilled to attain self-reliance. Education and skill training is the best way to do that,” said Sagdeo.
Dr Sagdeo and family will return soon to Muttil in Wayanad (Kerala) where he is current based after a stopover in Nagpur.