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Vibes Of India
Vibes Of India

Eight from Gujarat Among Padma Awardees

| Updated: January 26, 2025 13:07

The Central Government announced the Padma awards on Saturday, with eight individuals from Gujarat being honoured for their contributions in various fields. Among the recipients were the architect of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Chandrakant Sompura, and 94-year-old Kathak exponent Kumudini Lakhia, who received the prestigious Padma Vibhushan.

Kumudini Lakhia, an Ahmedabad-based dancer and guru, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for her unparalleled contributions to the art of Kathak. Lakhia, who had previously been awarded the Padma Shri in 1987 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010, has spent decades shaping the landscape of Indian classical dance. She founded the Kadamb Centre for Dance in 1964, creating a platform that has nurtured numerous artists over the years.

Chandrakant Sompura, the 81-year-old architect behind the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, was awarded the Padma Shri. Reflecting on the recognition, he said, “Ramji ki krupa,” expressing his gratitude. 

Sompura follows in the footsteps of his father, Prabhashankar Sompura, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 1973 for designing the Somnath Temple. Speaking about the Ram Mandir project, which he began in collaboration with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the 1990s, Sompura said, “It will take another year for the entire complex to be completed.” His son Ashish is currently leading the construction efforts.

Pankaj Patel, chairman of Zydus Lifesciences, was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in the trade and industry category. Patel, 71, is also the chairperson of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad and Udaipur. Zydus Lifesciences is a prominent pharmaceutical company that also operates a chain of Zydus Hospitals.

Suresh Soni, a former professor at MS University of Baroda, received the Padma Shri for his work with leprosy patients. Soni founded the Sahyog Kushth Rog Trust in Sabarkantha, providing critical support to those affected by the disease.

Another Padma Shri recipient from Gujarat, Lavji Parmar of Surendranagar, was recognised for his dedication to preserving Tangaliya weaving, a 700-year-old traditional craft. Parmar, a weaver from the Dangasia community, has spent over 40 years reviving the art form, which involves intricate extra-weft patterns that resemble embroidered beadwork. 

Through exhibitions and collaborations, Parmar has successfully promoted Tangaliya weaving across India, providing sustainable livelihoods to local weavers. “We have trained many residents at our Common Facility Center, ensuring that this heritage survives and thrives,” Parmar stated.

Authors Chandrakant Sheth and Tushar Shukla were posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for their contributions to literature and education. Ratan Parimoo, a distinguished art historian and former dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at MS University of Baroda, was also honoured. Parimoo, who has served as the director of the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad, said, “I feel honoured to receive this recognition and thank the Union government for their support. I will continue to contribute with renewed zeal and inspire the younger generation of Indian artists and professionals.”

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