Padma Bhushan for Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa

Chandigarh, January 25

Folk singer Gurmeet Bawa is among the four personalities selected for Padma awards from Punjab this year.

Bawa, who has been awarded Padma Bhushan — the third-highest civilian award — posthumously, passed away after a brief illness last year.

She was known for her long ‘hek’, a trait that is uncommon among female singers. Her singing career spanned over five decades.

Padma Shri for three

Name — Field

Harmohinder Singh Bedi — Literature

Baba Iqbal Singh — Social work

Prem Singh — Social work

Apart from Bawa, Harmohinder Singh Bedi, Chancellor of Central University of Himachal Pradesh, has been awarded Padma Shri for his contribution in the field of literature and education. Bedi was a teacher of Hindi literature at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and served on various chairs.

Besides, Baba Iqbal Singh has been awarded Padma Shri for his contribution in the field of social work. He is the founder of The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. Iqbal Singh retired in 1986 from his job with the Himachal Government. He shifted to Baru Sahib after retirement and started working on Brahm Vidya Kendra. He started the Akal Academy assisted by Khem Singh Gill, with only five students in a one-room school.

Apart from him, Prem Singh has been awarded Padma Shri for social work.