Page 36 - NIS English 16-28 Feb 2022

Nation Padma Awards

SHE SPENT HER WHOLE LIFE

SAVING TREES BASANTI DEVI

The Kosi river of Uttarakhand is the source of livelihood for thousands of
people. But due to the increasing water use over time, the Kosi water level
started decreasing which threatened the existence of the forests along its
banks. This was not acceptable to Basanti Devi who took the initiative to give
new life to the river and make people aware of the environment. She is
affectionately called 'Basanti Behan' by people. Basanti Devi who lost her
husband at the age of just 12, never gave up in life. After the death of her
husband, Laxmi Ashram became her abode. Staying here, she completed her
studies till the 12th, then started opening the 'Balwadi' ashram in the district.
Here she herself taught. Basanti Devi, who had once suffered the brunt of child
marriage, went from house to house and educated about its ill effects to the
people. In 2003, a news report appeared that the Kosi river would dry up in the
next 10 years due to deforestation, so Basanti Devi took the initiative to save it.
Belonging to the land where 'Chipko Andolan' started she very well understood
the necessity of saving the environment. She wandered from forest to forest to
educate people not to cut trees or else the river will dry up. She would show the
newspaper clipping to anyone cutting trees. Slowly but surely the scenario Padma Shri Awardee
started changing. In the year 2016, Basanti Devi was awarded the country's
highest award for women, the Nari Shakti Puraskar. Basanti Devi has been
awarded the Padma Shri for 2022.

PEOPLE ONCE CALLED HIM A AMAI

MADMAN BUT HE IS NOW FAMOUS MAHALINGA NAIK

AS THE 'TUNNEL MAN'

According to media reports, when the officials from Delhi informed Amai
Mahalinga Nayak about receiving the Padma awards over the phone, he
could not understand. Amai Mahalinga was a laborer who was very
industrious. Impressed by his hard-working nature a person gifted him 2
acres of barren land as a reward. This barren land was in the hilly area and
it was very difficult to grow crops without irrigation. Amai Mahalinga does
not have either monetary means or knowledge of any technology for
irrigation on the high hill. After which he decided to build a tunnel for the
purpose. He built 5 tunnels in 4 years, but the water did not come which
dampened his spirit. But Naik continued with the task. People started calling
him mad. But after digging the seventh tunnel he finally succeeded in getting
water. Eventually, water reached the barren land. His success story has
crossed villages, cities, and the country to reach foreign shores. People
from many countries have visited his farm to get a first-hand account of his Padma Shri Awardee
accomplishments.

34 New India Samachar February 16-28, 2022