Administration recommends two candidates for Padma Shri
The Central government has instructed districts to submit the names of eligible candidates for the prestigious award each year.
Dhani Ram Panther has cremated many unclaimed dead bodies, while Ranjit Singh, an artist, has created portraits of several individuals on copper plates.
This is for the first time that the administration has recommended the names of two persons. It is unclear who will receive the award as the selection process is lengthy, but both candidates are deemed deserving of the award.
District magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh said that the selection process for the Padma Shri award was a bit long and added that Dhani Ram was recommended for special services and Ranjit Singh for special art.
Dhani Ram regularly performed cremations of unclaimed dead bodies with complete rituals. Around 80 years old, Ranjit Singh has preserved decades-old copper plate portrait art, including portraits of several celebrities such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Indian cricket captains.
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