This year's Padma awards seemed special! The central government decided to confer the unsung heroes. Expressing their gratitude, several Padma awardees praised PM Narendra Modi through various gestures.

 

Bhagavathar Kota Satchidananda Sastry is a renowned Harikatha narration artist from Andhra Pradesh and is also the first recipient, who belongs to this art form, to receive the award.

 

Before receiving the award from President Droupadi Murmu, Sastry went to PM Narendra Modi and bowed down to touch his feet, however, PM Modi stopped him in between and stood up to greet the 89-year-old artist. The moment turned emotional and everyone took their time to appreciate the scene with applause.

 

 

 

Pandwani singer Usha Barle also received a Padma Award was conferred with the Padma Shri, the third highest civilian honour. She has received training in Pandwani from renowned Pandwani singer and Padma Vibhushan Teejanbai. She has performed Pandwani in various states of India and beyond, including London and New York. She also won the gold medal six times in Girodhpuri Tapobhoomi.

 

When she walked towards President, the singer sat on her knees before PM Narendra Modi and bowed down to him. Responding to this, PM Modi greeted her back.

 

 

 

Hirbai Lobi, who hails from Gujarat was conferred the Padma Shri award for her extensive work for the betterment of the state's Siddi community and women's empowerment.

 

While walking to get the award, she praised PM Modi during the mid-event for his noble work for the tribals. In a rare expression of blessing, she stretched her dupatta showing affection and gratitude towards PM Modi.

Mere pyaare Narendra Bhai, apne hamari jholi khushiyon se bhar di (Dear Narendra Bhai, you have filled our lives with happiness)," she was heard saying. The hall echoed with clapping for her emotional gesture. When she was speaking, PM Modi listened to her with folded hands and expressed his reverence for the elderly woman.

Among this year’s recipients for the Padma Shri was Ghulam Mohammad Zaz, a Kashmiri artisan, in the field of Art. He is a Kashmiri master craftsman who specializes in the manufacture of handmade musical instruments like Sitaar, Rabab, Tawoos, and Santoor.

 

While greeting everyone present in the hall, he shook his hands with Union Ministers seated in the front row. He stopped near PM Narendra Modi and praised him.

Mangala Kanti Roy, 102-year-old Sarinda Player from West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, was conferred with Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in the ‘Art (Folk Music)’ category. He has been promoting and preserving the Sarinda instrument for 8 decades through workshops and performances.

 

While walking to receive the award, he stopped near the first row where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several union ministers were seated. He greeted PM Modi and everyone seated in the hall.

Apart from these awardees, every recipitent greeted PM Modi before receiving their respective awards.