Veteran Punjabi Actress Nirmal Rishi Honored with Padma Shri Award

Esteemed actress Nirmal Rishi, celebrated for her illustrious contributions to the Punjabi film industry, was bestowed with the prestigious Padma Shri award on Monday.

The ceremonial function took place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital, where President Droupadi Murmu presented Nirmal Rishi with the distinguished honor.

Reflecting on her emotions after receiving the news of her Padma Shri accolade, Nirmal Rishi conveyed her initial nervousness and subsequent joy. In an interview with ANI, she expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting her extensive career spanning theater and approximately 100 film roles.

Nirmal Rishi gained widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Gulabo Maasi in the iconic film ‘Long Da Lishkara’. Her versatile career features memorable performances in Punjabi cinema, including films like ‘Nikka Zaildar’ and ‘Nikka Zaildar 2’.

The Padma Awards, regarded as one of the highest civilian honors in India, are bestowed in three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. At the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, President Droupadi Murmu conferred 3 Padma Vibhushan, 8 Padma Bhushan, and 55 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2024.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, along with other Union Ministers.

Following the investiture ceremony, Home Minister Amit Shah hosted a dinner for the Padma Awardees at his residence in New Delhi. Tomorrow, the awardees will pay homage at the National War Memorial and visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya as part of their itinerary.