Dairy leaders Rama Reddy and Dr. Punniyamurthy Wins Padma Shri
NDDB extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Punniyamurthy Natesan, a pioneer in Ethno-Veterinary Medicine (EVM) and a valued advisor to NDDB, on being honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr. Punniyamurthy’s transformative contributions to EVM, his advocacy of sustainable & antibiotic-free livestock health practices, and his lifelong commitment to strengthening animal healthcare & rural livelihoods.
His knowledge and experience have greatly enriched NDDB’s efforts in promoting EVM through his valued guidance and advisory support. NDDB is honoured to be associated with a visionary expert and wishes him continued success & many more milestones in a journey that continues to inspire the dairy and livestock sector.
Rama Reddy Mamidi has also been posthumously conferred the Padma Shri — one of India’s highest civilian honours — in the 2026 Padma Awards for his transformative contributions to the dairy and animal husbandry sector. The Government of India announced the honour on the eve of Republic Day, recognising his lifelong work in strengthening cooperative-led rural development and empowering dairy farmers in Telangana.
Reddy, who passed away in October 2025, was the founder of the Co-operative Development Foundation (CDF) and played a pivotal role in establishing cooperative autonomy with the Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies Act, which influenced the 97th Constitutional Amendment recognizing the right to form cooperative societies. His pioneering work included setting up women-led dairy cooperatives like Mulukanoor Mahila Dairy, which grew from a small group of women into a substantial enterprise, and the creation of 755 local thrift societies with significant community assets.
Across his decades-long career, Rama Reddy focused on training farmers in livestock management, dairy operations, and financial administration, fostering sustainable livelihoods and economic inclusion in rural regions. His legacy is credited with not only advancing dairy productivity but also championing women’s economic empowerment through cooperative structures.
The 2026 Padma Awards list also includes other distinguished achievers across science, medicine, arts, and public service, highlighting contributions from across the nation on this Republic Day honour roll.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Jan 27th 2026 NDDB and Deccan herald