Shimla: Septuagenarian Vidyanand Saraik and Lalita Vakil were today selected for Padma Shri Award for contributions in their respective field.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has congratulated both these personalities of the State for being selected for the fourth-highest Civil Award, Padam Shri, the Chief Minister said that contribution of both these personalities was immense in their respective fields.
The Chief Minister said that Lalita Vakil, hailing from Chamba, has been working for the promotion of Chamba Rumal for the past about 50 years and this award was not just recognition for her but also for the traditional art of Chamba Rumal of Chamba district.
Jai Ram Thakur said that Vidyanand Saraik is a multifaceted personality who has been striving to conserve and revive hilly culture for over five decades. He said that Vidyanand Saraikhas written numerous folk songs, naatis and folklores.
Chief Minister has also congratulated IG South Range Himanshu Mishra, for being awarded the President’s Police Medal for his distinguished services. He has also congratulated four other police officers viz. Superintendent of Police Lokayukta Ranjana Chauhan, Additional Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Sharma, Inspector Laxman Kumar and Honorary Assistant Sub Inspector Jagdish Chand for being awarded Police Medal for their meritorious services.
