Recognized Karnataka Artist Recipient of Padma Shri After Disproving PM Modi

Muslim Artist Shah Rashid Ahmed Quadri Overcomes Discrimination to Receive Prestigious Prize

Veteran bidri craftsman Shah Rashid Ahmed Quadri expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing the Padma Shri award upon him in a touching moment at the Civil Investiture ceremony in New Delhi. As the BJP administration took office, Quadri, who comes from a family of Karnataka bidri craftsmen, lost hope of winning the prize because she thought the party would not honour a Muslim artist.

 

Prime Minister Modi, however, disproved him, and Quadri was one of the eight residents of Karnataka to get the esteemed civilian honour. During the ceremony, the prime minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the honorees. Modi shook Quadri's hand.

Quadri thanked the prime minister in the following words: "Under the UPA administration, I was hoping to receive a Padma award, but I didn't. I believed the BJP administration would no longer honour me when your government took office. But you disproved my assertion. I wanted you to know how grateful I am ". The home minister smiled as she saw the encounter, and the prime minister responded with a namaste and a smile.

For his efforts in the field of bidri craft, Quadri has won several honours, including the state award from Karnataka in 1984, a national award in 1988, and the district Rajyotsava award in 1996. He joins other Karnataka residents who have received the Padma Shri, including Sudha Murthy for her efforts in social work, SM Krishna and SL Bhyrappa for their contributions to literature and education, and Khadarvali Dudekula for their work in science and engineering.

Art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, commerce and industry, medicine, literature and education, civil service, and sports are just a few of the areas in which the Padma awards are granted. They are also distributed for the promotion of Indian culture, the defence of human rights, and the preservation of wildlife, among other purposes.

 

The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in the nation, and on Wednesday, 52 awardees—including two Padma Vibhushan, five Padma Bhushan, and 45 Padma Shri—received the honour. The presentation of the awards is a significant event that honours the accomplishments of people from many different sectors who have succeeded in their respective fields.

Shah Rashid Ahmed Quadri experienced a very memorable occasion when he finally won the prize for which he had been working for more than ten years. The conversation with Prime Minister Modi served as a reminder that skill and effort are valued and rewarded regardless of one's political or religious beliefs.

The awards event served as a celebration of brilliance and a showcase for the range of Indian talent. It was a lovely and elegant occasion, and Shah Rashid Ahmed Quadri's inspiring tale served as a testament to the strength of tenacity and the victory of the human spirit.

In addition to the state prize from Karnataka in 1984, a national award in 1988, and the district Rajyotsava award in 1996, Quadri, who comes from a family of bidri craftsmen, has won several accolades for his work. Quadri was sceptical that he would ever be given the coveted Padma Shri award despite his great qualifications.

Quadri stated during an interview with ANI, "I fought for this honour for ten years. I assumed I wouldn't receive this medal when the BJP administration took office since the BJP never awards anything to Muslims, but PM Modi disproved my assumption by picking me for the honour. I want to thank him sincerely for everything."

 

One of India's highest honors for civilians, the Padma Shri is given to people who have excelled in their vocations and made noteworthy contributions to society. This year, 52 persons in all, including Quadri, received the honour.

In addition to Quadri, this year's Padma recipients included seven other Karnataka residents. SM Krishna and SL Bhyrappa in the fields of literature and education, Khadarvali Dudekula in the fields of science and engineering, and Sudha Murthy for her efforts in social work were a few among them.

 

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other dignitaries attended the award ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The honorees were recognised for their achievements in a variety of professions, including literature, education, social work, athletics, science, engineering, commerce and industry, public affairs, and medical.

Since 1954, the Padma awards have been given out, and they have come to represent national honour for outstanding people who have made contributions to society. In addition to other purposes, the prizes are granted for the advancement of Indian culture, the defence of human rights, and the preservation of wildlife.

The life of Quadri is an example of tenacity, commitment, and a firm self-belief. His path acts as an inspiration to many, showing that everything is achievable with effort and tenacity. In a society where variety is embraced and unity in diversity is a tenet of the national identity, his message of optimism and inclusiveness is all the more profound.