Ashraf AboArafe
As known that the Padma is one of India’s most prestigious civil awards, and has three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Prizes are awarded in various fields and disciplines such as arts, social work, public affairs, literature, sports, and others.
This award strongly reflects the socialist and secular values of the Constitution of India, contributes to the promotion of crafts and folk cultures, encourages the general public to innovate and highlights models who are dedicated to serving humanity.
One of the most important names that won this award this year is Tulasi Gauda (who was born into a poor tribal family and did not receive any formal education. Today she is called the “Encyclopedia of Forests” due to her extensive knowledge of different types of plants and herbs. She has also planted and tended more than 30,000 trees. ), Muna Master (a Muslim folk singer who composes and sings praises to Hindu deities as well, in a gesture that expresses the harmonious spirit of Indian culture), Javed Ahmed Tak (who is confined to a wheelchair as a result of being shot in the spine during an attack by militants in Kashmir But he has founded a number of non-governmental organizations to serve children and people with special needs for their education and rehabilitation), Manjama Gujati (a transgender folk dancer, her life and struggles are taught within the academic curricula of literature and folk arts), Babamal (still at the age of six). Hundred years old she is a caretaker of agricultural land, and she is also a participant in the advisory committees of several agricultural universities), Syed Mahbub Shah Qadri (One of the founders of the Satyashodhak Mandal Islamic Society for Social Harmony) and social parity and gender equality in Islamic societies. He was an opponent of tripartite divorce (“immediate and irrevocable divorce”) and a fighter for women’s rights), Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (for his scholarly works on Islam and the Islamic mystical heritage and his role in achieving harmony between different sects), Lakha Khan (belonging to an Islamic musical sect in western India, and is considered The most important symbols of the Sarangi Sindhi music) and others.
These awards embody the spirit of equality and universal humanity and the Government of India has been keen to award this award to many ordinary people and unsung heroes in recognition of their tireless efforts that were not motivated by other than passion and commitment. We hope that the stories of Tulasi Gauda, Manjama Gugati, Javed Ahmed and other award recipients will continue to be a source of inspiration for generations.
