Bhubaneswar, Aug. 8 -- Former union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the Padma Awards, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, have been transformed from an honour associated with elite circles into a true "People's Award".
Speaking at the 'Matira Mahak' programme organised at the Rangabati stage of Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur, Pradhan said the process of selecting Padma awardees had undergone a significant transformation under the Modi government.
"Earlier, people had to reach elite circles in Delhi to receive Padma Awards. Today, the government is identifying and honouring genuine achievers from villages who have devoted their lives to folk art, literature, agriculture, education a...