Nominate your choice of inspiring people for Padma awards: PM Modi to citizens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited nominations from citizens for the Padma award of ordinary people doing exceptional work.

“India has many talented people, who are doing exceptional work at the grassroots. Often, we don’t see or hear much of them. Do you know such inspiring people? You can nominate them for the #PeoplesPadma. Nominations are open till 15th September,” the prime minister said.

The Padma awards – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan—are among the top civilian honours awarded by the government on the eve of Republic Day.

Since 2015, the Modi government has been conferring the Padma awards on ‘unsung heroes’, who have been quietly making meaningful contributions to society.

“Gone are the days when getting a Padma Award was reserved for influential and powerful people and a far fetched dream for the common man. Now the contribution of 'unsung heroes’ to society is recognised leading to the Padma Awards now being called the #PeoplesPadma,” Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said.

Among the ‘unsung heroes’ conferred the Padma awards included 105-year-old Pappammal from Tamil Nadu for her contribution to organic farming; Chutni Devi, who was once branded as a witch and started a fight against social evils, along with Mithila artist Dulari Devi and Social activist Shanti Devi, from Odisha.

The Modi government has also taken a lead in conferring Padma awards on opposition leaders. Senior Congress leaders Tarun Gogoi, S C Jamir, Bhabani Charan Patnaik, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar are among the leaders who were conferred the Padma awards.