"Not expected BJP govt will give the award to a Muslim, but PM Modi proved me wrong", says Padma Shri awardee Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri
Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri said, "I quit applying for this award thinking that the BJP government never gives anything to a Muslim but PM Modi chose me and proved me wrong."
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New Delhi, April 6: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday presented Padma awards 2023 here in Rashtrapati Bhavan. One of them was Padma Shri awardee from Karnataka Bidri Ware handicraft artist Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri who was overwhelmed with the recognition.
A video of Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri thanking PM Modi has also gone viral on social media. As PM Modi approached to meet the Padma awardees, Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri shook hands with the Prime Minister and said, "I am from Bidar in Karnataka. I applied for this award in the Congress tenure for five years. I did not get it. The BJP government came to power after that. I remained silent thinking that this is a BJP government and it will not give the award to us (Muslims). But you have chosen me and you have proven my thinking wrong. Thank you so much for this."
Heart touching conversation between Padma Shri Shah Rasheed Ahmed Qadri & PM Modi.
— Priti Gandhi - प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) April 5, 2023
He says, “I expected Padma earlier, during UPA govt, didn’t get it. Didn’t expect to get it under BJP govt, but thankful that PM Modi proved me wrong!"
When he says 'Sabka Saath', he means it!! pic.twitter.com/BdpXYOQyyk
During a media interaction, Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri said, “I tried for this award for ten years. Every year, it would cost me Rs. 12000 for the application. I have this much big profile. It includes 50 color photos. That too cost me a lot. After five years, a BJP government was voted into power. I quit applying for this award thinking that the BJP government never gives anything to a Muslim. But Modi Ji chose me and proved that my thought was wrong. I thank Modi Ji, Amit Shah Ji, and everyone who has played a key role in this award.”
#WATCH | I tried for 10 years to get this award. When BJP govt came, I thought I will not get this award because BJP never gives anything to Muslims, but PM Modi proved me wrong by choosing me for this award: Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadari, who received Padma Shri award today pic.twitter.com/H3XPTV9xYJ
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2023
Earlier, in January when got the call from the government, Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri was surprised even back then. He said, "I never expected the Union government to recognise the six-century-old exquisite Bidriware and honour me with the Padma Shri. I could not believe it until one of the officials from the Union government rang up and informed me about the national award."
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Since the age of 10, the 68-year-old Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri began this traditional craft. In defiance of his father Shah Mustafa Quadri, a craftsman who made Bidriware, he began studying art. Rasheed Quadri comes from a long line of artists. First in his family to begin this age-old craft work was his grandfather Shah Muhammad Quadri.
Also Read: "Aapne meri jholi khusiyon se bhar di": Padma Shri awardee Hirbai expresses gratitude towards PM Narendra Modi; WATCH
Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri has previously received several awards, including the State Award in 1984, the National Award in 1988, the District Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 1996, and The Great Indian Achievers’ Award in 2004.