Page 39 - NIS English February 16-28

Check the entire list of
Padma awardees by
clicking on the link- https://
padmaawards.gov.in/
PDFS/2021AwardeesList.pdf
Pa a V a Pa a V a Pa a B a
S A e S P Ba a a a a Tarun Gogoi

The Struggle that became an Inspiration

Among the Padma Awardees, there were several unsung heroes.
They were honoured for their selfless service to society.

B a a Ra a A a Pa a a Ta Na
Instrumental in getting Prevention of and 105-year-old woman organic farmer
Protection from Witch Hunting Act, 2015, passed

Assam’s Birubala Rabha started her crusade People go in retirement mode after reaching
against witch-hunting when she herself faced the age of 60 but Pappammal of Tamil Nadu
an unpleasant situation. It was a common is inspiring people for organic farming at
practise in her village to label women as the age of 105! She herself does organic
witches and carry out atrocities against them.
Birubala decided to raise voice against this evil farming in her 2.5 acres of land. Taking
practise. She formed a group of women and inspiration from her, several farmers in
began fighting. The Government had to relent as the area have resorted to organic farming.
she saved as many as 42 women so far. It was Pappammal also actively participates in
due to her efforts that the Assam Government programmes related to agriculture. She is
passed Prevention of and Protection from Witch a member of the advisory board of Tamil
Hunting Act, 2015.
Nadu Agriculture University.

recognise and honour the contribution of every methodology of awarding Padma Awards
citizen for building a New India. Now, the work every year, but this entire process has been
of an individual counts and not his/her identity. changed for the past three years. Now, any
It is only under this Government that even the citizen can nominate any person in our country.
common man of the country is considered for Transparency has been brought about in the
the highest civilian award. entire process by making it operable online.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Padma Awards are announced every year on
this in his Mann Ki Baat, “There was a certain the occasion of Republic Day. For the year 2021,

New India Samachar 37