Girish Bharadwaj — "Bridge Man of India"

Social worker and engineer Girish Bharadwaj passed away on 7 July 2026.

Why Famous?

Known as the “Bridge Man of India.”

• Built 150+ low-cost suspension bridges.
• Connected remote villages with essential services.
• Worked across:
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Telangana
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Odisha
• Used local labour, community funding and sustainable construction methods.
• Received Padma Shri in 2017.

Mains Link: Rural connectivity + social entrepreneurship + appropriate technology + inclusive development.