Pics: Padma Winners, Who Were Barefoot, In The Spotlight

Environmentalist Tulsi Gowda, orange seller Harekala Hajabba, agriculturist Rahibai Soma Popere and artist Dalavayi Chalapathi Rao are seen in viral images walking barefoot and receiving India's highest civilian awards from President Ram Nath Kovind.

The spotlight is on unsung heroes in the Padma awards functions this week and four recipients who went barefoot to the ceremony have drawn much praise and admiration on social media. Barefoot & dressed in traditional attire, #Environmentalist Tusali Gowda, aka 'Encyclopedia of the Forest' was awarded the Padma Shri.She planted more than 30,000 saplings & has dedicated her entire life in #environmental conservation. #PadmaAwardspic.twitter.com/olw3aElRHV President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Harekala Hajabba for Social Work. An orange vendor in Mangalore, Karnataka, he saved money from his vendor business to build a school in his village. pic.twitter.com/fPrmq0VMQv

Environmentalist Tulsi Gowda, orange seller Harekala Hajabba, agriculturist Rahibai Soma Popere and artist Dalavayi Chalapathi Rao are seen in viral images walking barefoot and receiving India's highest civilian awards from President Ram Nath Kovind.

"They are barefoot, but have the Padma Shri in their hands," wrote filmmaker and activist Ashok Pandit in an appreciation post, sharing images of all four and tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi.