First woman elephant mahout among 34 unsung heroes awarded Padma Shri
New Delhi, Jan 25: India's first woman elephant mahout Parbati Baruah famous as "Hasti Kanya", tribal environmentalist Chami Murmu, social worker Sangthankima who runs Mizoram's largest orphanage and plastic surgeon Prema Dhanraj who treats burn victims are among 34 "unsung heroes" awarded Padma Shri on Thursday.
The list, issued on the eve of 75th Republic Day, also has organic farmer from South Andaman K Chellammal, international Mallakhamb coach Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, renowned microbiologist who pioneered development of India's inaugural Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program Yazdi Maneksha Italia, Longpi potter Machihan Sasa from Ukhrul who dedicated five decades to preserve this ancient Manipuri traditional pottery that traces its roots back to the Neolithic period (10,000 BC).
The coveted civilian honour also went to Gaddam Sammaiah theatre artiste Chindu Yakshaganam (from Jangaon) performing this art form for over five decades in over 19,000 shows, Bhilwara's Behrupiya artiste Jankilal, third generation Burra Veena player from Damaragidda village in Narayanpet Dasari Kondappa, brass Marori craftsperson Babu Ram Yadav and Chhau mask maker Nepal Chandra Sutradhar.
Bamboo craftsman from Mangan Jordan Lepcha, Valli Oyil Kummi folk dancer from Coimbatore Badrappan M, sculptor Sanatan Rudra Pal who specializes in crafting Sabeki Durga idols, Sabda Nrutya folk dancer from Bargarh Bhagabat Padhan are among the other Padma Shri winners.
The list also included Theyyam folk dancer from Kannur Narayanan E P, Mach theatre artist from Malwa region Omprakash Sharma, Chakma Loinloom shawl weaver from Tripura Smriti Rekha Chakma, Krishna Leela singer from Ganjam Gopinath Swain, first female Harikatha exponent Uma Maheshwari D and Kalluvazhi Kathakali dancer Balakrishnan Sadanam Puthiya Veetil.
Tikuli painter Ashok Kumar Biswas credited for revival and modification of the Mauryan era artform through his efforts over last five decades, Bhadu folk singer Ratan Kahar, Godna painters who overcame social stigma to earn global recognition Shanti Devi Paswan and Shivan Paswan have also been awarded Padma Shri.
Tribal farmer from Chirang Sarbeswar Basumatary, tribal welfare worker Somanna, East Siang based herbal medicine expert Yanung Jamoh Lego, a traditional medicinal practitioner from Narayanpur Hemchand Manjhi, tribal environmentalist from Sindri village, Purulia Dukhu Majhi, rice farmer Sathyanarayana Beleri from Kasaragod who preserved 650 rice varities, divyang social worker from Sirsa Gurvinder Singh and tribal welfare worker from Jashpur Jageshwar Yadav complete the list.
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Banke Bihari temple rejects proposal to ban deity’s dresses made by Muslim weavers
Agra: The authorities at the Banke Bihari temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Vrindavan have rejected a proposal to ban dresses made by Muslim weavers for Lord Krishna. The temple administration clarified that there have been no changes to the selection process for the deity’s attire.
Dinesh Falahari, president of the Shri Krishna Janambhumi Sangharsh Nyas, which is also involved in the ongoing Shahi Idgah mosque dispute in Mathura, submitted a memorandum to the temple administration, arguing that offerings made by non-followers of the Hindu faith should not be accepted, claiming that such offerings would be a “grave sin,” as reported by Times of India on Thursday.
However, Gyanendra Kishor Goswami, a member of the temple administration, told the publication that while the temple received the proposal to stop using ‘poshaks’ (attire) made by Muslim weavers, their primary concern was ensuring the purity and sanctity of the attire. “If members of the Muslim community have faith in Thakurji, we have no objection to accepting poshaks from them,” he added.
He said that the 164-year-old temple attracts between 30,000 and 40,000 devotees daily from diverse backgrounds, with the number rising to over one lakh on weekends and during festivals.
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