Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has been conferred with Padma Bhushan and Kapil Tiwari and painter Bhuri Bai with Padma Shri by the Government of India. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has lauded and congratulated Mahajan, Tiwari andBhuri Bai on being honoured with the prestigious award. He said that Madhya Pradesh is honoured.
Chouhan said that former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan considered politics as a medium of service and always kept development above everything. Dedicated to public welfare, Mahajan has made outstanding contributions to the country and society along with regional development. Many congratulations and best wishes to her for the Padma Bhushan.
Chouhan said that Kapil Tiwari, a folk culture expert, former director of Madhya Pradesh Tribal Folk Art Academy, has contributed significantly to the all round development of folk arts and folk artists. He discovered folk artists in tribal dominated areas and gave them a national-international platform. His contribution to the development and documentation of folk art, tradition, culture, language and literature has been outstanding. Many congratulations and best wishes to him for being awarded Padma Shri.
Chouhan said that the talent of Bhuri Bai, a portrait artist of Jhabua district, is original.
She came to Bhopal and worked as a labourer in Bharat Bhavan, besides being good at painting. Her talent was recognized and she got a chance to draw pictures on the walls of Tribal Museum Bhopal. Her portraits and canvas paintings gained international fame. She has received the Padma Shri for her work in the field of art. Many congratulations and best wishes to her.