In a nutshell, Indian citizens are honored with Civilian Awards for their outstanding contribution to the country. This award is shared by the President of India and the awardee. Awards are given from all walks of the states, from Punjab to Karnataka. Padma Shri is considered one of the prestigious awards of the country.

The awards are divided into different categories. Examples are –Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science and Technology, Literature or Journalism, sports several other fields. There is a committee that decides the nominees and later on the winners with the Prime Minister every year. As a result, they choose the Padma Award Recipients. The names are finalized by the Prime Minister as well as the President.

The striking matter of the fact is that these awards are given without any kind of discrimination no matter which caste the awardee belongs to or what gender. This is how the eligibility criteria are decided that is the work and the contribution.

Padma Shri was given to several awardees two such awardees marked the history. One of them is a 'Transgendered from Karnataka a folk dancer who received the award'.

Manjamma Jogati an elegant folk dancer from Karnataka conquered all atrocities that she has been through and won the award. She did a gesture while receiving the award in front of the president, which portrayed that she was wishing him all the luck for his life, and with grace received the award, President was touched by her gesture. She is the first trans- president of Karnataka Janapada academy and the only transgender to win the award. However, behind this illustrious and talented there is a journey filled with struggles which most of us are unaware of.

Born in Karnataka's Bellary district as Manjunatha Shetty. Later on, she married a god owing Hindu ritual. Now she was known as Manjumma Jogathi, and was not allowed to enter her own house. Jogathi left her house.

She was identified as a woman at the age of 13. She resorted to begging as she had only managed to study till class 10th. Amidst all the struggles, she was sexually abused. Then came a point when she decided to end her life. But god stored something better for her, and then she met a father and son who taught her the art of folk dance. She became a part of the troupe. Later on, she became the leader of that troupe.

The second most awardee who marked the history was 102 years old Nanda Prusty receives Padma Shri for providing free education in Odisha. Nanda Prusty was given Padma Shri because of his outstanding contribution to the field of education.

He spent his whole life teaching children and adults for free.He has been teaching since the time of Independence, to eradicate illiteracy from his village. He is also known as 'Nanda Sir'. He has only studied till grade 7th, owing to his family's financial conditions. 

Nanda Prusty's informal school functions in a makeshift hut in the village. It opens at dawn and runs seven days a week till 9 pm for children as well as for adults. On receiving the award Nanda raised his hands to bless President Ram Nath Kovind.

Several awards were given in the entertainment field as well, music, directors. But the above-discussed awardees have genuinely, marked the history this year in their respective fields. They are an inspiration to all of us that no matter how long the struggle in the end you will win one day.

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