Renowned social health activist and medical practitioner Shri Vilas Dangre has been conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of his remarkable work in the field of medicine, especially in community health and rural outreach.
For decades, Shri Dangre has dedicated his medical knowledge to serving the underprivileged, especially in remote and tribal areas of Maharashtra. His tireless efforts have transformed countless lives through healthcare access, disease prevention, and awareness programs.
Hailing from Maharashtra, Shri Vilas Dangre has been a leading force in delivering medical care to underserved regions, often trekking to isolated villages to treat patients who would otherwise go without care. His model of low-cost, high-impact healthcare delivery has become a benchmark in grassroots medicine.
Beyond treatment, he has led multiple initiatives to spread awareness about hygiene, maternal health, tuberculosis, malnutrition, and preventive care—creating empowered, self-reliant communities.
“A good doctor doesn’t wait for patients to come to the clinic—they go where the patients live,” Shri Dangre has humbly said.
The Padma Shri recognizes Shri Dangre’s lifelong commitment to health equity, service before self, and impactful grassroots action. His story exemplifies the profound difference one individual can make when medicine is practiced with purpose and compassion.
