Page 27 - Mann Ki Baat January, 2023
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see. As such, when the Padma promoting national pride and
Awards Committee sits down for battling superstition and child
its deliberations, it sifts through marriage across rural India.
not a few hundred names but Ghulam Muhammad Zaz,
thousands and thousands. an eighth generation santoor
State Governments, craftsperson from Kashmir, part
district authorities, civil society of a family that has been making
organisations and ordinary this musical instrument for the
citizens are encouraged to past 200 years.
identify hitherto unknown K.C. Runremsangi, a Mizo
and unsung heroes who have folk singer and cultural icon
contributed to nation building for the past three decades,
but done so away from the very well-regarded in her state
limelight. Special efforts are and deserving of pan-Indian
made to highlight potential acclaim.
Padma winners from states and Dhaniram Toto, a writer and
regions that have historically lifelong devotee and preserver of
been under-represented. Now, Toto (Dengka), an endangered
Padma Award winners from Tibetic language for which he
Manipur and Lakshadweep, from has developed its first script.
Sikkim and the Andaman and It is extremely unlikely you
Nicobar Islands, from Mizoram would have read these names
and Ladakh are not a surprise; before 2014. That’s why each year
they are a regular feature. on January 25 we look forward
Consider four names to the Padma list with enhanced
from the 2023 list. Domar anticipation. Among us, the
Singh Kunvar, a Chhattisgarhi people of India, there is greater
folk theatre artiste who has ownership – and that warm
performed thousands of plays, sentiment defines the Prime
in 13 languages and dialects, Minister's Padma revolution.
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