By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : May 28, 2026 11:20 am
Honoured for his immense contribution in the field of social service and organ donation awareness
Known as the Organ Man of India, Nilesh Mandlewala was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award by President Droupadi Murmu at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony of Padma Awards 2026 held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Honoured for his immense contribution in the field of social service and organ donation awareness, Nilesh received one of the country's highest civilian awards amid loud applause.
Nilesh Mandlewala said, "I am really thankful and grateful that the Indian government has awarded me the Padma Shri award. I have been working for the past 2 decades, and people around me, including my late parents, family, friends, social organizations, organ donors and their family members, hospitals and doctors of Surat, forensic doctors of SMIMER and Civil Hospital, Surat City Police, CISF, all volunteers, staff members, and trustees of Donate Life have contributed to my journey."
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mandlewala enabled 203 donations from Surat alone, while his awareness campaigns have reached over 100 million people, helping Surat gain recognition as an “Organ Donor City.”
Additionally, he has also been honored with more than 70 awards by various national and international organizations, including the prestigious “Gujarat Gaurav Award,” the highest civilian honor of the Government of Gujarat.