Schoolteacher Trinity Saïoo led hundreds of farmers in Jaiñtia Hills of Meghalaya to cultivate and boost the popularity of indigenous high curcumin Lakadong variety of turmeric.

In recognition of her contributions in the field of agriculture, Trinity Saïoo has been conferred Padma Shri 2020.

Trinity Saïoo spearheaded the women-led turmeric farming movement in Meghalaya, enabling the women farmers to triple their income.

Saïoo helped the illiterate women with organic certification, marketing, documentation to avail subsidies.

She began her federation with 800 farmers. Now, the federation has 100 Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Under her leadership, the federation exports lakadong turmeric across the Northeastern states and even to Kerala and Karnataka.

The agri entrepreneur has helped the state of Meghalaya in its Mission Lakadong by mobilizing growers and expanding the area of lakadong turmeric farming.

Saïoo is among the 13 Padma Shri Awardees from Northeast Northeast, out of total 118 awardees, who have been conferred Padma Shri.

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Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian awards of the country, conferred in three categories –Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The Awards are given in various disciplines/fields of activities – art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service.

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Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service while Padma Bhushan is for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

This year, the President has approved conferment of 141 Padma Awards including 4 duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one).

The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan,  16 Padma Bhushan and 118 Padma Shri awards.

Thirty-four of the awardees are women and the list also includes 18 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 12 Posthumous awardees.