The Union Government on Saturday announced the names of the awardees who are going to be awarded the coveted Padma Shri award. A total of 30 unsung heroes were awarded Padma Shri, a government statement said on Saturday.
Among those awarded include, Dr Neerja Bhatla, a Gynaecologist from Delhi with specialized focus on cervical cancer detection, prevention and management being awarded Padma Shri.
Bhim Singh Bhavesh, social worker from Bhojpur being awarded Padmai Shri for tirelessly working for the upliftment of Musahar community, one of society’s most marginalized group, for the past 22 years through his foundation ‘Nayee Asha’.
P Datchanamoorthy being awarded Padma Shri. He is an instrumentalist specializing in Thavil, a classical percussion instrument vital to South Indian music and culture, with more than 5 decades of experience.
L Hangthing being awarded the Padma Shri. He is a fruit farmer from Noklak, Nagaland with over 30 years of expertise in cultivating non-native fruits.
Also among the awardees is Gokul Chandra Dey, a 57-year old Dhak player from West Bengal who broke the gender stereotype by training 150 women in the male-dominated field.
Dey also created a lightweight Dhak type, 1.5 kg less than the conventional instrument, and represented India at various international platforms and performed with Maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Zakir Hussain.
A vocal advocate of woman empowerment, 82-year old Sally Holkar transformed once dying Maheshwari craft and founded Handloom school in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, to give training in traditional weaving techniques.
Born in America and Inspired by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy, she devoted five decades of her life to revitalise 300-year-old weaving legacy. She has also been awarded Padma Shri.
