Honour of Padma Shri

Honour of Padma Shri

On 21 March 2022, the then President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovindji, presented the prestigious Padma Shri award 2022 to Pujya Tai Ma at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on behalf of the Government of India. Pujya Tai Ma is the first Jain Sadhvi to receive this honourable award for her immense compassionate actions, transforming lives of millions and bringing peace to their lives. She is also the first Sadhvi to be afforded the honour of ‘Acharya’ in the history of Jainism.

Pujya Tai Ma is a remarkable, peaceful and compassionate soul, who has only one thing in her heart – ‘friendship with all beings’. Whether it is to a small ant, to a bird, to a cow, to a child, to an adult man or woman, it does not matter. There is love and friendship with one and all! Pujya Tai Ma has dedicated her entire life to transforming the lives of underprivileged children, women and men through education, healthcare and rejuvenating disaster-stricken areas. This award is a testimony of Pujya Tai Ma’s humanitarian service touching millions of lives worldwide.

One can truly say that it is very rare to find such a compassionate person like Pujya Tai Ma in this world. That compassion just flows out continuously from within. Her empathy for those suffering is boundless. Pujya Tai Ma thinks of the minutest thing to ensure that no one suffers or gets harmed. For instance, when handing out blankets as a token of love to all the eye camp patients, she instructs us that we should fold the blankets carefully and with awareness so that no dust particles affects patients’ eyes thus harming them! Such compassion is indeed very rare to see! The Padma Shri award conferred on her is for this limitless compassion.

And with her utmost humility, Pujya Tai Ma says that this award is for all her disciples and others who have wholeheartedly supported the cause of Veerayatan for the past fifty years.

The Padma Shri award to Pujya Tai Ma created exhilaration everywhere, not only in India but also worldwide and her magnanimous achievements have been recognised and celebrated in many different ways, ranging from:

  • the then President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovindji, speaking humbly about Pujya Tai Ma’s achievements,
  • being welcomed and honoured by the Honourable Governor of West Bengal, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, as a State Guest of Kolkata,
  • being recognised by the Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri. Basavaraj Bommai in Bangalore and Shri. Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament,
  • being honoured by Reshma Zaveri, Deputy Mayor of Bhuj, who is indebted to the work started by Veerayatan following the devastating earthquake in Kutch,
  • being commended by JITO (Jain International Trade Organisation), Kolkata Chapter and JITO, Bangalore Chapter,
  • receiving an Honorary doctorate from the Renaissance University, Indore,
  • being presented with the Angel of Compassion award by JAINA, USA.

Watch the celebratory video to have a glimpse: