Bengaluru: Papiya Kar has been selected for the Abhaya Bravery Award 2026 (Season 2) under the category “Art for Humanity”, recognising her extraordinary compassion-driven service to homeless and destitute people living on the margins of society.
The award will be presented on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 5 pm onwards, at the Alliance Française de Bangalore Auditorium, during the Abhaya Bravery Awards ceremony organised by Team Abhaya in association with the Bangalore Sports Lovers Association.
Turning art into dignity and daily nourishment
Papiya Kar’s journey of service began quietly at a non-descript railway station on the outskirts of Kolkata, where she encountered an elderly person who had gone hungry for three consecutive days. That moment became a turning point in her life. She pledged to ensure that no one around her would sleep hungry if she could help it.
Since then, Papiya has transformed her modest kitchen into a community kitchen, where she single-handedly prepares simple, nutritious meals for 100 or more homeless and destitute people every day. Known lovingly as a “mother” figure by many of those she serves, her work is rooted in dignity, consistency and deep personal commitment rather than charity-driven publicity.
Self-reliance at the heart of service
What sets Papiya Kar apart is her unwavering insistence on self-reliance. She runs her own handicraft store, selling creations made by her, and channels the earnings directly into sustaining the community kitchen. She refuses to accept monetary donations, believing that service should be sustained through one’s own effort and responsibility.
While she does not accept financial help, neighbours and well-wishers contribute clothes throughout the year, which are distributed among the same homeless community she feeds. Her family and close friends stand firmly by her, offering moral strength and encouragement.
Living in the present, serving with purpose
Papiya Kar says she does not look far into the future. Her focus remains firmly on the present—filling one hungry stomach and bringing one smile at a time. Her work reflects a rare blend of humility, courage and quiet perseverance, values that lie at the core of the Abhaya Bravery Award.
About the Abhaya Bravery Award
The Abhaya Bravery Award honours individuals who demonstrate courage through selfless social action, ethical living and grassroots service. Season 2 continues to spotlight unsung heroes whose work transforms lives without seeking recognition or reward.
By conferring the “Art for Humanity” honour on Papiya Kar, Team Abhaya acknowledges a powerful message: that true bravery often lives in small kitchens, silent sacrifices, and unwavering compassion.
