A 72-year-old tribal woman named Tulasi Gowda, an environmentalist from Karnataka has conferred the Padma Shri award on Monday. Barefoot and dressed in traditional attire, Gowda received India’s fourth-highest civilian award from President Ram Nath Kovind during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Gowda belongs to the Halakki indigenous tribe in Karnataka. She grew up in a poor and disadvantaged family and remained devoid of formal education. However, with her vast knowledge of plants, herbs, and trees, in 2021, she is known as the ‘Encyclopedia of Forest’.
Today, even at the age of 72, Gowda continues to nurture plants and share her vast knowledge with the younger generation to promote the importance of environmental conservation.
President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Padma Awards in Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday. The awards are one of the highest civilian honours presented annually by the government of India. 119 Padma Awards were presented including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri Awards. A ceremony to honour the awardees could not be held in 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The list of awardees includes 29 women, 16 Posthumous awardees and one trans person.
"The Padma Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. "
Padma Vibhushan: It is the second-highest civilian honour of India is given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field including service rendered by the government servants.
The highest award in India is the Bharat Ratna.
Padma Bhushan: This award is given to recognize distinguished service of a high order to the nation.
Padma Shri: It is given by distinguished service in any field including service rendered by the Government servants.