26th, January, 2022

73rd Republic day

Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa is among the four individuals selected for the Punjab Padma Prizes.
Bawa, who was awarded the third highest civilian Padma Bhushan posthumously, passed away last year after a brief illness.
Bawa was known for her ‘long hek’, a trait which was uncommon among female singers. Her singing career spanned over five decades.
In addition to Bawa, the Chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh Harmohinder Singh Bedi received the Padma Shri Prize for his contribution to the field of literature and education.
Bedi was a teacher of Hindi literature at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and served on various chairs.
Baba Iqbal Singh has been awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution in the field of social work.
Singh is founder of Kalgidhar Trust, Kalgidhar Society and Baru Sahib. Iqbal Singh retired in 1986 from his job with the Himachal government.
He moved permanently to Baru Sahib following his retirement and immediately began working with Brahm Vidya Kendra. He started the Akal Academy with the aid of Khem Singh Gill, with only five students as a one-room school.
Apart from him, Prem Singh has been awarded the Padma Shri for social work.

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honors of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.

(Source: Punjab Tribune)