New Delhi:

A heartwarming trade between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a veteran craft artist from Karnataka has turned out to be one of many highlights of the Padma Awards held on the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi this night. “You proved me wrong,” Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri, a Bidri craft artist, instructed PM Modi when he got here to congratulate him for the distinguished award.

Mr Quadri, who acquired Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu, was seen shaking palms with the Prime Minister in a video. He was then heard telling him that he believed he wouldn’t get a Padma honour below the BJP authorities’s rule.

“I was expecting a Padma award during the UPA government, but I did not get it. When your government came, I thought now the BJP government would not give me any award. But you have proved me wrong. I expressed my sincere gratitude to you,” he mentioned.

The Prime Minister reciprocated with a namaste and a smile.

Padma awards are conferred in three classes — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. India’s high civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, has not been given to anybody since 2019.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Late Mulayam Singh Yadav and author-philanthropist Sudha Murty have been amongst these awarded the Padma Vibhushan.

Ms Murty’s daughter Akshata, who’s the spouse of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, was seen sitting within the entrance row subsequent to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, together with different dignitaries on the majestic Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Sudha Murty’s husband and Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy was additionally sitting amongst different visitors and relations.

Even Akhilesh Yadav’s complete household was current on the occasion.

The awards are given in varied disciplines and actions similar to artwork, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, commerce and business, medication, literature and training, sports activities and civil service amongst others.

Padma Vibhushan, the nation’s second-highest civilian award, is given for distinctive and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a excessive order; and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any discipline.