Vempaty Kutumba Sastry receives Padma Shri in Literature & Education

Professor Vempaty Kutumba Sastry, the 75-year-old Sanskrit scholar and author from Andhra Pradesh, was conferred with Padma Shri 2026 under Literature and Education category. He served two consecutive terms as President of the International Association of Sanskrit Studies and has authored and edited 15 books. Sastry has worked for decades to make Sanskrit more accessible for newer generations.