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MAKING PADMA AWARDS A TRULY DEMOCRATIC AFFAIR

The Modi government has taken many path-breaking initiatives but none more revolutionary than his government’s latest attempt to transform Padma Awards into people’s awards or “People’s Padma” as they are now being sought to be projected.

All citizens have been requested to make nominations/recommendations for the purpose so that a concerted effort could be made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized. They could be from any section of the society – women, weaker sections, SCs & STs or specially abled (divyang) persons doing selfless service for the society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself called upon people to send Padma nominations for those “doing exceptional work at the grassroots but not much known”. Modi is keen to find out the real gems who deserve to be honoured with the country’s highest civilian awards. “India has many talented people, who are doing exceptional work at the grassroots. Often, we don’t see or hear much of them. Do you know such inspiring people? You can nominate them for the #PeoplesPadma. Nominations are open till 15th September,” the Prime Minister tweeted recently.

Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year and seek to recognize ‘work of distinction’. They honour exceptional achievements in various fields such as Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service and Trade and Industry. Though anyone irrespective of race, occupation, position or sex is eligible for the awards based solely on their work, there have been many controversies over the nominations in the past. There have been allegations of politics creeping into the selection process and undeserving people getting nominated.

The involvement of ordinary citizens in the nomination process will not only make it more transparent but also reflect the real choice of the masses. This will make the awards truly democratic in nature while ensuring that only the best get nominated. The Prime Minister and his government deserve kudos for having thought of involving the common people in the nomination process which will help identify hidden talents and selfless people working in anonymity in different nooks and corners of the country. Government officials hardly ever pay attention to such people, who have to be extremely lucky to get recognized.

But now they have an opportunity. People at the grassroots level who have seen their work and tested their talent can bring them to the notice of the nation by nominating them for the awards. People will be ever grateful for this to the Prime Minister who has himself made his way to the top from an extremely humble background. Only he could have had such a noble idea.

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