Padma and his wife enjoy butter tea at his residence in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 27, 2024. Padma was born into a herdsman family in 1942 in Xainza County in Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. During his childhood, his family was obliged to herd over 1,000 sheep for aristocrats, only receiving meager sustenance in return.

In March 1959, people in Xizang launched the democratic reform that ended the region's feudal serfdom. This pivotal moment allowed Padma to pursue a better life for himself and his community.

Padma established a new settlement with his companions by the Garco Lake in the 1970s, and was awarded the title of "national model worker" in 1989.

Padma now resides in the comfort of a two-story dwelling at the relocation site in Shannan City. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)