Elated Padma Shri awardees thank Centre for accolade

New Delhi: After their names surfaced in the list of Padma Shri awardees for the year, the elated recipients of the accolade expressed gratitude towards the central government for the recognition.
Uttarakhand folk singer Pritam Bhartwan, whose name also surfaced among the list of Padma Shri awardees, thanked the government for recognising local music.
“I would like to thank the Government of India for recognising our local music. I dedicate this award to the audience, to the folk artiste of Uttarakhand, and to my father who was also my mentor,” he told ANI.
Mountaineer Bachendri Pal said the honour came as a surprise to her.
“I was really shocked, it was a surprise for me as well, and I want to thank Modi government. I have not ever applied for an award. I would like to dedicate this award to my parents,” said Pal.
Social worker Chinna Pillai, who was conferred the Padma Shri, revealed that she first came into limelight due to former late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.