These two eminent women are Madhuri Barthwal, a prominent Garhwali folk musician and Vandana Kataria, an Olympian hockey player. Both were conferred with PadamShri, India’s fourth highest civilian award this year.
Vandana Kataria, who hails from Uttarakhand is the first India woman, who scored a hattrick in Hockey. She also scored highest goals in Tokyo summer Olympics-20 held in 2021. She got the honour in the sports category.
Madhuri, a teacher from Uttarakhand is a prominent Garhwali folk singer, composer and a musician, all rolled into one. She got the honour in art category for recognition of her contribution towards promotion of folk music among women in the Hills of Uttarakhand.
Gen Bipin Rawat, first Chief of Defence Staff was awarded PadamVibhushan, posthumously. Gen Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other brave soldiers had died in an IAF aircraft crash in Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021. Gen Rawat hailed from Uttarakhand. He was conferred with the honour in civil-service category post-humorously. He was India’s first CDS and the army Chief.
