Page 34 - NIS English 16-28 Feb 2022

Nation Padma Awards

PEOPLE'S PADMA

Barefooted citizens dressed in a loincloth taking Padma awards have won the hearts of every Indian.
This highlights the incredible journey of the Padma awards from being exclusively restricted to the
elite class to becoming accessible to ordinary citizens. It was also for the first time that a Prime
Minister appealed to the masses on Twitter to nominate talented and grassroots-level people. This
demonstrates Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to make the Padma awards a 'Janta ka
Padma'. Once again the Padma Awards were announced on the eve of 73rd Republic Day...

e it Basanti Devi Ji of Uttarakhand, 77-year-old highest awards of the country. The unsung heroes
Lourembam Bino of Manipur, or Arjun Singh whose stories inspire. Their work is a true example of
Bof Madhya Pradesh who popularised Baiga social service and service to the country.
tribal dance or Amai Mahalinga Naik of Karnataka, THE JOURNEY TO PEOPLE'S PADMA
popularly known as Tunnel Man are in the list of The Government has been taking people's friendly
Padma awardees for 2022. Despite their humble initiatives. That is why the Central Government, which
background, their merit was recognized. Earlier ended the VIP culture by banning the red beacon,
these people were living in oblivion despite making started to bestow Padma awards to ordinary citizens
immense contributions to society. from 2017. PM Modi made the process of nomination
Till a few years ago, it was believed that Padma for Padma awards completely transparent. To
awards mostly go to those who have access to the enable people to apply for Padma Awards without
corridors of power. Those whose drawing rooms are any hesitation and hassle, a special website was
luxurious, where these awards framed on the wall created and online applications started from 2016.
testify to their status. Those who travel in business With the purpose to give careful consideration to the
class in an airplane. The names are also mostly the nominations of the people, the jury of these awards
same which is the center of power of Delhi or the included prominent personalities from all walks of
glittering city of Mumbai or other metro cities. But life, who have done great work in their respective
this trend has changed in the last few years. Now fields. Over the years participation of the general
the common man is also being honored with these public in Padma awards has increased manifold.

32 New India Samachar February 16-28, 2022