New Delhi, May 24 -- Ahead of the Padma Awards ceremony scheduled to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital on Monday, several Padma Shri awardees expressed gratitude and pride and disbelief at being recognised with one of the country's highest civilian honours.

On being conferred with the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of arts, Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya told ANI, "I am very happy to receive the Padma Shri award. The Government of India has appreciated the hard work I have done over so many years. I have no words to express my gratitude. I began working at the age of 25 and, even today, at 94, I continue to work."

Kantha embroidery artist Tripti Mukherjee also expressed much delight and added, "... I am delighted to have b...