Hindu – Brahmin Community – Achievers 2023

Nek Ram Sharma, a farmer from Nanj village in Karsog sub-division of Mandi district, has been awarded the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu for his efforts in promoting traditional crop systems and sustainable agriculture.

For the past 30 years, Sharma has been utilizing intercropping and organic farming techniques, taking advantage of the indigenous seeds given to him by his elders. He has resuscitated the traditional crop system of nine food grains, which were in danger of disappearing, and identified crops that need less water, increase soil fertility, repel bugs, and develop rapidly in smaller areas of land.

Sharma's journey to organic farming started in the mid-90s, as he noticed the hazardous effects of chemical fertilizers on the soil fertility of the valley. By the mid-2000s, he had eliminated the use of chemical and fertilizers on his land and reinstated millet cultivation - a highly nutritious grain that helps restore land nourishment.

By the turn of the century, he had revived seven types of millet that were in danger of being lost forever: finger, foxtail, proso, kodo, buckwheat, sorghum, and pearl. Sharma's work is an inspiration for farmers across India, who face decreasing crop yields and diminishing soil nutrition levels due to the excessive usage of chemical fertilizers. He not only works in the farming industry but also backs up local artisans, pushing their handcrafted items to a bigger number of buyers, aiding them to become self-reliant and maintain their livelihood.

The promotion of indigenous farming techniques and organic farming methods has helped make farming land sustainable. His efforts have also helped in identifying crops that need less water and repel insects, while growing faster in small patches of land.

In May 2023, Shreya Singla from the Hindu Brahmin community Secures Second Position with a Remarkable Score in Bathinda's MSD Senior Secondary Public School."

Shreya Singla, a student of Bathinda's MSD Senior Secondary Public School, achieved the second position with a fantastic score of 99.06 percent. Shreya's journey has been filled with challenges as she is a physically challenged girl. However, her determination and passion have shone through in academics and sports. Her team's victory over Japan in the finals was a testament to her extraordinary skills and dedication. Devinder Singla, Shreya's father, who works in a bank, spoke highly of his daughter's hard work. He revealed that they discovered Shreya's hearing impairment at age four. Still, despite the late diagnosis, they equipped her with hearing aids, enabling her to speak and communicate effectively.

In the May month 2023, Smriti Mishra from Brahmin community Shines at All India Rank 4 in UPSC**