All three Padma Awardees, received honors in foreign countries also… Today even two times a day’s bread is in need. Country’s most famous Pandwani folk artist Teejan Bai – All three Padma Awardee country’s most famous Pandwani artist Teejan Bai struggles to make ends meet ntc
The country’s most famous Pandwani folk artist Teejan Bai is struggling to earn a living today. There are many such folk artistes in the country who, despite being blessed with extraordinary talent and achieving great success, are forced to face difficult times today. Tejan Bai is a living example of this.
78 year old Teejan Bai won all three Padma Awards for her art but now she is struggling for her pension. After the demise of his younger son in 2023, paralysis affected him the most, since then he has been bedridden and dependent on his children.
Son wandering from door to door for pension
Their children have been running from door to door to get the pending pension for the last 8 months. All famous artistes in Chhattisgarh are entitled to get a monthly pension of Rs 2000 and Rs 25000-50000 for medical expenses by the state cultural department.
Got Japan’s biggest honor
There was a time when Tejan Bai was honored with big awards in the country and abroad. He has also received Japan’s highest honor, the Fukuoka Arts and Culture Award. Those who have seen him performing on stage are longing to hear his voice today.
Bhupesh Baghel requested for help
Seeing his pain and suffering, senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has also urged the state government to provide facilities to the Padma Vibhushan awardee. Durg Collector Richa Chaudhary says that the pension till September has been deposited in the account. However, technical shortcomings are being looked into.
Teejan Bai was working in Bhilai Steel Plant
Teejan was also working as an S11 employee in Bhilai Steel Plant, whose pension she was getting till 2021. After reports of her condition went viral, EPFO officials came forward to resolve the technical glitches, following which she is now entitled to receive Rs 1.36 lakh as pension from BSP.
Unfortunately, Teejan Bai is not the only artiste who is going through these sorrows or such situations. Not only in Chhattisgarh but there are many artists across the country who, despite achieving great success, are either dependent on pension or struggling for their livelihood.
