The Chandigarh administration will confer 37 commendation certificates to a wide range of government officials and citizens for their outstanding service across sectors at the Independence Day celebration on August 15, 2026.
The awards recognise contributions in healthcare, education, administration, engineering, public service and social work, among others. The honour is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated meritorious service in their respective fields. In an act of extraordinary courage and philanthropy, the family chose to donate the child’s organs and entire body to PGIMER, a gesture honoured by the administration. Another awardee, Dhananjay Chauhan, a transgender rights activist, educationist and human rights advocate associated with Chandigarh, will also recognised for sustained efforts towards building an inclusive and equitable society. She broke a major institutional barrier by becoming the first student to be enrolled under the third-gender category at Panjab University, setting a precedent for others. Former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau also invited her to dinner for her accomplishments in uplifting the transgender community.
Among the notable awardees is Tony Bansal, whose late infant son, master Vansh, passed away at just 10 months of age.
