NEW DELHI: One of the significant feature of 2018 Padma Shri awards was Padma Shri for a Saudi Citizen for propagating Yoga Nouf Marwaai a Saudi Yogacharinie who played an important role in legalization of yoga in Saudi Arabia. She has over the years taught 3000 students and 70 teachers yoga. She is the founder of Arab Yoga Foundation , the first Yoga organization in Arab world.
She was born with Auto- Immune disease and overcame same through yoga and Naturopathy .She has travelled to different parts of India with reference to study of Yoga and Ayurveda and has been the active practioner since 19 years. She is probably the first Arab women to bag prestigious Padma Shri. Padma Shri (also Padma Shree) is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Awarded by the Government of India, it is announced every year on India's Republic Day.