Vidyanand Saraik, the famous litterateur and folk artist of Himachal Pradesh, received the Padma Shri on Monday in traditional attire. In the field of literature, this honor was given to Vidyanand Saraik by the President of the country, Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Wearing the traditional costume of Hati community of Giripar area of district Sirmaur, Vidyanand went to Dias with folded hands wearing black loiya and Himachali cap to receive the Padma Shri award. Taking the Padma Shri award from the President, he said that it is his good fortune that he had received the President’s Award in the year 2018 also at his hands.
The Padma Shri award is being received even today. He was accompanied by his sons Ramesh Saraik and Jagmohan Saraik, two grandsons Deepak Saraik and Ishaan Saraik and relative Vikram Gandharva. Vidyanand Saraik told that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the program. All the honorees met very cordially. He asked the Prime Minister that he belonged to the Hati community of Giripar area of district Sirmaur and he should take care of the Hati community. The Prime Minister listened to him carefully.
Seeing the Himachali cap, the PM said – I recognized you are from Himachal
Ramesh Saraik, son of Vidyanand Saraik, said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came recently, he met his father. Seeing the Himachali cap, the PM said that I recognized you are from Himachal. I have a special love for Himachal. Ramesh said that he was overwhelmed to meet the Prime Minister by his arm. Vidyanand Saraik told that he will meet Home Minister Amit Shah at dinner and will honor him by wearing a Himachali cap. During this, he will also urge the Home Minister to give tribal status to Hati.
