In a Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, President of India Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Shri Awards to two people hailing from Chhattisgarh. Renowned Natya Nacha folk dance artist Domar Singh Kunwar and tribal craftsman of wood carving, environmentalist, and social reformer Ajay Kumar Mandavi were the recipients of the prestigious award. The ceremony was attended by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, cabinet ministers and other dignitaries.

Domar Singh Kunwar has dedicated his life to preserving the tradition of Nacha dance for over five decades. He has performed in 13 dialects and languages, spreading awareness about eradicating superstition and social evils like child marriage. Kunwar has given more than 10,000 stage and street performances in many villages, towns, and cities of the country. He has also worked for making Durg district fully literate in 2002 and eradicating leprosy, diarrhea, and malaria. Through his 100 songs and 60 plays, he has spread awareness across villages and cities for the prevention of child marriage and other social evils.

Ajay Kumar Mandavi, born in a Gond tribal family in Kanker district, is a talented woodcarver who never received any formal training in the craft. Mandavi learned the art by observing his father and started making small boats, wooden toys, and idols of Lord Ganesh on the banks of the river in his village. He gained national and international acclaim when he was asked to train inmates in Kanker jail and created remarkable art pieces during his tenure. Mandavi is also an environmentalist and social reformer. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel congratulated Domar Singh Kunwar and Ajay Kumar Mandavi on their achievement, stating that they had brought laurels to the state. Earlier, Pandwani and panthi singer Usha Barle had also received the Padma Shri Award at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 22.