A 100-year old freedom fighter from Goa, a dhak player from West Bengal who trained 150 women in the male-dominated field, and India’s first woman puppeteers are among 30 Indians who were awarded the Padma Shri, a government statement said today, ahead of the Republic Day celebrations tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Harvinder Singh, who won gold in the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, has also been honoured with the Padma Shri award.<\/p>\n

“With deep gratitude and honour, I accept the gracious invitation to the at-home reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 26th of January. It is an occasion of immense pride and privilege to be in the presence of the esteemed President of India, a symbol of our nation’s unity and strength,” Harvinder Singh said in an Instagram post.<\/p>\n

Padma Shri awardee Libia Lobo Sardesai played an important role in Goa’s freedom movement and co-founded an underground radio station — Voz da Liberdabe (Voice of Freedom) — in a forested area in 1955 to rally people against Portuguese rule.<\/p>\n

Gokul Chandra Dey, a 57-year old dhak player from Bengal, who broke gender stereotype by training 150 women in the male-dominated field, is one of the awardees.<\/p>\n

Mr Dey also created a lightweight dhak type, 1.5 kg less than the conventional instrument, and represented India at international platforms. He performed with maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Zakir Hussain.<\/p>\n

A strong supporter of woman empowerment, 82-year old Sally Holkar transformed the once-dying Maheshwari craft and founded a handloom school in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, to train people in traditional weaving techniques.<\/p>\n

Born in the US and inspired by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy, she devoted five decades of her life to revitalise the 300-year-old weaving legacy. She has been awarded the Padma Shri.<\/p>\n

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