German Padma Shri  2019 Awardee Threatens To Return Award

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday sought a report over the reported denial of visa extension to a German Padma Shri awardee who has threatened to return her award over the issue.

German national Friederike Irina Bruning, 61, who was awarded the Padma Shri for cow protection this year, has threatened to return her reward after her application for visa extension for further stay in India has been rejected by the MEA, according to a media report.

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Reacting to the report, Sushma Swaraj tweeted: "Thanks for bringing this to my notice. I have asked for a report."

Speaking to a leading national daily Friederike said that had applied for an extension of her visa but it was rejected without any reason by the MEA office in Lucknow. Her visa is due to expire on June 25.

Friederike runs a farm called 'Surbhai Gauseva Niketan' in Sudevi near Mathura. She said that the farm has no caretaker and if she leaves, they will be no one to tend to the cows there.

There are more than 1500 cows and calves in the farm which she has been running since the past 25 years. The 61-year old German has spent her entire savings including her parents money in setting up the cow shelter and employing workers for the rescue work. In recognition for efforts towards animal welfare the Government of India conferred her the Padma Shri in 2019.

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