Padma Awards 2021 (Vol 1): Unsung Heroes of the Country Get Recognition

November 8, 2021 proved to be a very special day for the country as it witnessed ordinary people get the due recognition and appreciation for the extraordinary things they have done for the country.

On this day, Indian President, Ram Nath Kovind felicitated 141 awardees with the Padma Awards for the year 2020. It is to be noted that the coveted ceremony was not held in 2020 owing to Covid-19 pandemic. The list includes 141 awardees wherein 7 were felicitated with Padma Vibhushan, 16 were honoured with Padma Bhushan and 118 were bestowed with Padma Shri Awards.

Among the big names, the list brought in a pleasant surprise in the form of names that came from very simple background. The government recognized the efforts of these people who have been working at the grassroots level. The awards proved to be a great platform to honor their work and make people aware of their efforts.

Let us have a look at five among the ordinary people with extraordinary journey:

Tulsi Gowda: She hails from Honnali village in Ankola taluk located in the state of Karnataka. She is environmentalist and has planted more than 30,000 saplings. Tulsi Gowda has been contributing in environmental conservation for the past six decades. She is even addressed as the “encyclopedia of the forest”. People of her tribe address her as “tree goddess” because of the deep knowledge she has in regard to the trees and plants of the forest. She was felicitated with the Padma Shri.

Krishnammal Jagannathan: She comes from Tamil Nadu and is lovingly called Amma. She is a social worker. Amma travels to secluded rural areas and works towards bringing social, economic and political changes. She has worked hard for elevating the powerless and the poor. Amma was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Dalavayi Chalapathi Rao: He happens to be a celebrated artist in leather puppetry. He comes from Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh and was awarded the Padma Shri award for his contribution to the field of art.

Acharya MK Kunhjol: Coming from the land of Kerala, MK Kunhjol has dedicated his life in fighting for the rights of Dalits and raising his voice against the police mayhems. He has even played a pivotal role in spreading the philosophies and works of BR Ambedkar and Ayyankali. Acharya bagged the Padma Shri for his work.

Rahibai Soma Popere: Also famous as the ‘seed mother’, Popere is a farmer belonging to the Mahadeo Koli tribe from Komblne village, Maharashtra. Despite not attending school, she is well-aware of agrobiodiversity, traditional culture, and wild food resources. She learned about all this through years of practice and experience. She bagged the Padma Shri.

These people have really made us all proud and made us belief once again in the power of humanity and good deeds. We will soon be back with few more awardees in the list who have achieved the great feat and are leading a humble life.