Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has revealed that yesteryear
actress Asha Parakeh had lobbied for the Padma Bhushan award. The BJP
parliamentarian said that the veteran actress approached him for recommending
her name for the prestigious award.
Speaking at a function in Nagpur on Saturday, January 2,
Gadkari said, "Film actor Asha Parekh came to me for recommending her name
for Padma Bhushan. The lift of my apartment was not functioning properly, so
she climbed 12 floors to meet me in person and I really felt bad about it.”
Asha Parekh has been honoured with the Padma Shri in 1992.
However, she wanted the Padma Bhushan award as she has done so many films. The
actress allegedly told the minister that she was entitled for the Padma Bhushan
due to her immense contribution in Indian film industry.
"She said I have received Padmashree Nitinji, now I
want Padma Bhushan. I said you have received Padmashree, it is like Padma
Bhushan (only). She said 'no'. She said she has done so many films. Asha Parekh
is a big name truly but somewhere she felt that she should get Padma Bhushan,"
the minister claimed.
Gadkari further said that he was being “chased” by people
for recommending their names for the highest civilian awards and that giving
away Padma awards has become a “headache.”
Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award after the
Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, while Padma Shri is the fourth highest
civilian award.
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