Ahmedabad: As the names of the Padma honours were announced on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on Saturday, eight Gujaratis found a place of pride in the roll of honour. While Kumudini Lakhia, the eminent Kathak exponent from Ahmedabad, was conferred the Padma Vibhushan for her contribution to the field of performing arts, Pankaj Patel, the founder and chairman of the multi-billion Zydus Group, was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to trade and industry.
Lakhia, 94 now, said that she felt great and really happy with the recognition, which is “not only mine but of all my students, supporters of this endeavour, and those working for the upliftment of dance”.
“The work of decades has found its result in this award. I am happy that we have brought Indian dance to the fore and to the new generation,” she said. Lakhia was a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, and also the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Meanwhile, Pankaj Patel dedicated this award “to all the pharmacists and researchers of the Indian pharmaceutical industry”. “I am also thankful to all my colleagues for working relentlessly. Over the years, we made India self-reliant in medicines with collective hard work and dedication, and the future of the Indian pharmaceutical industry is bright,” Patel told TOI.
Chandrakant Sompura, 82, the architect of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya along with several other major temples across India, said that he was happy that his work was recognised. “My family has been into architecture for eight generations. My grandfather, Prabhashankar Sompura, was also a recipient of the Padma Shri way back in 1973.”
Ratan Parimoo, a nonagenarian artist and eminent art historian who also served at institutions such as MS University of Baroda and LD Museum, said that the honour felt great with more than half a century spent in contribution to art, art education and museums. “I will continue to contribute with renewed zeal and inspire the younger generation of Indian artists and art professionals,” he said.
Suresh Soni, founder of the Sabarkantha-based Sahyog Trust, is recognised with the Padma Shri for his relentless work for leprosy patients and those with mental and physical disabilities. His son told TOI that his father was not keeping well, but he was elated by the recognition, which is not his alone, but all those working for the betterment of society. “We hope that the recognition motivates others to take up the work and also provide recognition to the leprosy-affected,” he said.
“The news can only be termed ‘anand’ (joy),” said eminent poet Tushar Shukla on getting the Padma Shri. “While it is surely an honour and recognition of Gujarati literature, I believe my work in the digital space has kept me connected to the young generation and new ideas. It, I believe, is elixir for creativity.”
Other Padma Shri recipients from Gujarat include Chandrakant Sheth, a poet, essayist, critic, and editor known for his literary activities and extensive translation work. He received the Sahitya Akademy Award for his work. He passed away last year at the age of 86 years. Lavji Parmar, a weaving maestro from the Dangasiya community in Surendranagar, is recognised for his four-decade-long dedication to the 700-year-old Tangaliya art, which got a new lease of life.