‘I never imagined something like this would happen…’ Sindhutai on receiving Padma Shri

Mumbai: On the eve of Republic Day, the Padma Awards have been announced by the Central Government today. In this, Padma Shri award has been announced to senior social worker Sindhutai Sapkal. The Padma Bhushan award has been announced to industrialist Rajinikanth Shroff. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also been awarded the Padma Vibhushan. A total of 119 Padma awards have been announced today. These include 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri awards.

In the Padma Awards, Maharashtra has been honored for its outstanding achievements in various fields such as industry, social, educational and arts. Maharashtra industrialist Rajinikanth Shroff has been awarded the Padma Bhushan. Social activists Sindhutai Sapkal, Purushottam Gangawane, Namdev Kamble, Jayantiben Popat and Girish Prabhune have been awarded Padma Shri.

“I never imagined something like this would happen. I just wanted to live and make others’ lives happy. That was just my intention. I am dedicating this Padma Shri to my children, the support given by the people and the recognition of my work from time to time.” After the award, Sindhutai Sapkal was congratulated by the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Namdev Kamble
“It is a great pleasure to receive one of the highest civilian awards. It is the happiest moment in life. This has greatly increased the responsibility of writing literature. Now we have to write more seriously. Presenting the biography of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in the form of a story is a new experiment I’m working on. So far no such character has come.” – Namdev Kamble, Shirpur, Tal. Malegaon, Dist. Washim, recipient of Padma Shri award

Girish Prabhune
“When we started working in the social field, we were able to do this work with the help of many. Among them are seniors of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Pracharak Damu anna Date, Mukundrao Panashikar, Ramesh Patange and activists of Bhatkya Vimukta Vikas Parishad. Their support helped me to do justice to the issue. In Maharashtra, Pardhi said that there used to be robberies and robberies. But this year in the Gram Panchayat elections, 100 Pardhi women and men were elected.” – Girish Prabhune, Senior Social Worker