Laxmin Baruah, a co-operator by nature as well as by deeds, has bagged the Padma Sri Award announced on Monday on the eve of 72nd Republic Day of India.
She is credited with setting up Konoklata Mahila Urban Cooperative Bank which helped hundreds of women in the districts of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Golaghat of Assam.
Barua had a difficult childhood filled with hardship but this only steeled her will to do something for the helpless women of the society. Barua was given Padma Shri in recognition of her efforts to financially empower the Assamese women, media reports say.
This year, there are seven Padma Vibhushan winners, 10 Padma Bhushan winners, and 102 Padma Shri awardees.