Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Congratulates Padma Awardees from the State

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulated the recipients of Padma awards from the state, recognizing their outstanding contributions in various fields.

On Thursday night, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended his heartfelt congratulations to the distinguished recipients of the prestigious Padma awards from the state. Among the esteemed individuals honored was the late Bindeshwar Pathak, the visionary founder of Sulabh International, who was posthumously conferred with the Padma Vibhushan for his remarkable contributions to social work.

Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awardees

The esteemed former Union minister, Chandreshwar Prasad Thakur, was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of medicine. Additionally, the remarkable couple, Shanti Devi Paswan and her husband Shivan Paswan, belonging to the Dusadh community, were honored with the Padma Shri for their extraordinary achievements as globally recognized Godna painters.

Their journey is a testament to their resilience and determination, as they overcame social stigma to showcase their exceptional artwork in countries such as the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong. Notably, Shanti Devi, who once faced the indignity of being denied drinking water due to her caste, had the privilege of showcasing her talent at the prestigious G20 Summit held in India.

Another distinguished recipient of the Padma Shri was Ashok Kumar Biswas from Bhagalpur, a prolific Tikuli painter credited with the revival and modification of the ancient Mauryan era art form. Through his unwavering efforts spanning five decades, Biswas has popularized this art by showcasing his work in over 100 exhibitions across five countries.

The list of Padma Shri awardees from Bihar also includes Ram Kumar Mullick, recognized for his contributions to art, and Surendra Kishore, honored for his contributions to literature and education.

Chief Minister's Commendation

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his utmost admiration and appreciation for the achievements of the Padma awardees, as conveyed in a statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). He lauded their exceptional contributions and dedication to their respective fields, which have brought immense pride and recognition to the state of Bihar.