No lutyens though, unsung heroes awarded this year with Padma awards

Saturday - January 28, 2017 1:19 pm , Category : WTN SPECIAL

By Jaya Khare :

When expectation and efforts are placed in planned pattern the output is defining and this has done and achieved well by Modi government.On 26 January 2017, India Celebrated 68th Republic Day at Raj Path, Rashtrapati Bhawan through Janpath.

Starting this year with a Grand National patriotic parade, rising from Raisina Hill up to Amar Jawan Jyoti. President Pranab Mukherji arrives along with the chief guest, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to the occasion escorted on horseback by the President's Bodyguard. National Anthem followed post the President unfurls the National Flag, and a 21-gun salute is given as the PBG renders the National Salute. Switching to the Grand Parade March where regiments of the Indian Army in addition to the Navy, and Air Force with their bands march past in all their finery and official decorations. Best of NCC Cadets selected from all across the national take proud to March Past at republic day along with the school children from various schools.

Counting as many as states of India, floats Tableau exhibiting the cultures of the various states and union territories of India, including tableau of union ministries and state enterprises were in the grand parade, which was broadcast nationwide on television and radio. Ditto to the every year this year too the same schedule followed under the protocol however with a mark in difference of pattern. The difference was the unsung heroes in award ceremony were given light to shine along with the seven sister from east with their Magnificent tableau sprung with creativity.

Arunachal Pradesh tableau depicted the Yak Dance. It mentions an ancient tale of family and a yak which solved the problems of the family and signifies the presence of ‘health, wealth and happiness of the Mahayana Buddhist tribes. This was not to be missed types and steal the spotlight.

The tableau of Assam depicted Kamakhya shrine of Guwahati. Pilgrims from world over visit this shrine during the Ambubasi fair which is considered as a holy period. The importance of the shrine lies in the fact that there are no idols in the temple to worship.

Manipur presented their ancient tradition, Lai Haraoba in their tableau an attempt to recreate the ambience of this ‘quaint’ and rich cultural tradition with a replica of the local deities and the dance of the devotees and the priestess.

Following up on India’s "Look East policy", introduced by the Modi government announced soon after coming to power Gives a fair reflection to the action and commitment of the government towards the unseen regions. Same initiative we can seen when Padma shri Awardi were declared this year. A comment form a commoner dr parag stating on his twitter handle “No more Lutyens elite for Padma awards, Modi Govt rewards some illustrious yet unknown people with Padma Awards”, raised the eyebrows of many and give a new perception to the happening.

Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954 had been announced every year on Republic Day. The award is given in three categories, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, in the decreasing order of importance

Where for The Padma Vibhushan the award criteria include "service in any field including service rendered by Government servants" including doctors and scientists, but excludes those working with the public sector undertakings, Padma Bhushan is for "distinguished service of a high order". It is awarded to recognize distinguished service of a high order to the nation.

Padma Shri is awarded for "distinguished service". awarded to citizens of India in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Medicine, Social Service and Public Affairs. It has also been awarded to some distinguished individuals who were not citizens of India but did contribute in various ways to India.This years the awards were given to some unsung heroes though not lutyens however prodigious.