TFP Bureau, Raipur, January 26, 2024: On the eve of Republic Day, the Government of India has announced the prestigious Padma Shri honors for three distinguished personalities from Chhattisgarh. The recipients include Kathak dancer Pandit Ram Lal Bareth from Raigarh, Vaidyaraj Shri Hemchand Manjhi from Narayanpur, and social service luminary Shri Jageshwar Yadav from Jashpur. Each of these individuals will be recognized for their exceptional contributions in the fields of art, medicine, and social service, respectively.
Heartfelt Congratulations from Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai:
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai expressed his warm congratulations to Pandit Ram Lal Bareth, Shri Jageshwar Yadav, and Vaidyaraj Shri Hemchand Manjhi for this remarkable achievement. Shri Sai lauded Shri Jageshwar Yadav for his dedicated service to the special backward tribe Birhor and Pahari Korwa, emphasizing the impact of his efforts on the welfare of these communities. The Chief Minister also commended Vaidyaraj Shri Hemchand Manjhi’s five decades of traditional medicinal service in the Abujhmad area of Narayanpur, highlighting his commitment to healthcare for the needy.
Pandit Ram Lal Bareth, an accomplished Kathak dancer from Raigarh, has dedicated his life to the art form and previously received recognition from the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Chief Minister Shri Sai expressed immense pride in these three personalities, acknowledging their significant contributions that bring honor to Chhattisgarh on a national level.
Profiles of the Honorees:
1. Shri Jageshwar Yadav (Jashpur):
Renowned as the brother of Birhor, Shri Jageshwar Yadav has dedicated his life to the upliftment of the Birhor and hill Korwa tribes.
Established an ashram in Jashpur, focusing on eradicating illiteracy and enhancing healthcare standards.
Notable for his efforts in promoting the welfare of special backward tribes, Shri Yadav has been honored with the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Award.
2. Vaidyaraj Shri Hemchand Manjhi (Narayanpur):
– A distinguished physician, Shri Hemchand Manjhi has been treating people with traditional medicinal knowledge for over five decades in the Abujhmad area of Narayanpur.
– Known for charging a nominal amount for treatment, Shri Manjhi has been serving the needy since the age of 15, leveraging his expertise in forest herbs.
3. Pandit Ram Lal Bareth (Raigarh):
– A celebrated Kathak dancer from Raigarh, Pandit Ram Lal Bareth has devoted his life to the art of Kathak.
– Recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, he continues to contribute significantly to the world of performing arts.
Padma Shri Awards in Chhattisgarh:
With the inclusion of Pandit Ram Lal Bareth, Shri Jageshwar Yadav, and Vaidyaraj Shri Hemchand Manjhi in the list of Padma Shri awardees, the count of individuals honored with the Padma Shri in Chhattisgarh reaches 29. This prestigious award has been granted to exceptional personalities in various fields since 1976.
Notable Mention: Mrs. Teejan Bai’s Unprecedented Achievement:
Mrs. Teejan Bai, the world-renowned Pandwani singer, stands as the sole personality from Chhattisgarh to receive all three Padma awards – Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2003, and Padma Vibhushan in 2019 – for her outstanding contributions to folk singing (Pandwani).
A Memorable Interaction: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and Shri Jageshwar Yadav:
In a heartwarming encounter on December 16th, Shri Jageshwar Yadav visited Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai at Pahuna, the official residence in Raipur. Expressing gratitude for the Chief Minister’s decision to provide housing to 18 lakh homeless people, Shri Yadav shared a special bond with Shri Sai. The Chief Minister, upon noticing Shri Yadav in the crowd, warmly called him closer, hugged him, and inquired about his well-being. This camaraderie developed through their shared commitment to the upliftment of the Birhor tribe, demonstrating the impact of dedicated service on forging meaningful connections.
