Bimla Poddar is an Indian social worker, businessperson, philanthropist and the founder of ''Jnana Pravaha'', a

Varanasi Varanasi (; ; also Banaras or Benares (; ), and Kashi.) is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world. * * * * The city has a syncretic t ...

based centre for cultural studies, engaged in the efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of India. Under the aegis of the organization, Poddar is involved in activities related to exploration of India's culture and maintains a heritage museum housing artifacts from ancient India. Born and brought up in

, in the Indian state of

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...

, she was married into a rich business family to late Bimal Kumar Poddar and holds the directorship of many of the family concerns which includes

Ambuja Cements Ambuja Cements Limited, formerly known as Gujarat Ambuja Cement Limited, is a major Indian cement producing company. The Group markets cement and clinker for both domestic and export markets. Partnership The company had entered into a strategi ...

. She was honoured by the

Government of India The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, c ...

in 2015 with

Padma Shri Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, ...

, the fourth highest Indian civilian award.

See also

References

Further reading