Page 21 - Mann Ki Baat January, 2023

the nomination process was address, this year’s awardees
opened to the public at large, have a good representation of
thereby making it a people’s the tribal community and people
movement. Any Indian can now associated with tribal life. Be it
nominate a changemaker for Cheruvayal K Raman of Kurichiya
these prestigious awards through Tribe who has preserved over
a simple online procedure. Today, 50 indigenous varieties of rice
through the official website, even in Wayanad; Bikram Bahadur
self-nomination can be made. Jamatia who has dedicated
The ‘People’s Padma’, thus, his life to the protection and
marked a paradigm shift in Jan upliftment of Jamatia community
Bhagidari (public participation) in Tripura; Vadivel Gopal and Shri
for building a New India. The Masi Sadaiyan of Irula tribe in
process has resulted in more Chengalpattu, whose expertise
and more unsung heroes getting and traditional knowledge as
their due recognition. As a result, snake catchers has been utilised
Padma Awards, over the last few by many countries; Jodhaiyabai
years, have obtained a sense of Baiga of Umaria, who depicts her
inviolability with the Government traditional tribal culture through
giving more importance to the her paintings; or KC Runremsangi,
work the nominees did, than to who has been teaching and
their identities. promoting Mizo folk music over
This year’s list is also the past three decades— all of
replete with such names who these people from different tribal
have always kept the country communities are serving the
paramount, dedicating their lives society in their own unique way.
to the principle of ‘Nation First’. Padma Awards have become
And as highlighted by the Prime increasingly representative not
Minister, in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ only of all sections of society, of

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