President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Decree on September 23 on the conferment of state awards in connection with the 35th anniversary of the country's Independence. As noted in the Decree, over the past thirty-five years large-scale transformations have been carried out in the country and high indicators have been achieved in all sectors of the economy. Citizens who have made a significant contribution to strengthening the independence and sovereignty of Turkmenistan, reinforcing the rule of law, increasing the economic power and international standing of the country, and implementing state programs in the oil and gas, construction, industrial, transport and communications, agrarian and water management, and other sectors have been recognized as worthy of honor and respect. According to the Resolution, 41 citizens were awarded the medal «Gaýrat», among them deputies of the Mejlis, employees of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Central Bank, the oil and gas, energy, chemical, transport, communications, agricultural and textile sectors, the spheres of education and healthcare, theater workers, and entrepreneurs. Several hundred citizens were marked with the medal «Watana bolan söýgüsi üçin». They include representatives of virtually all sectors of the economy, the social sphere, science, culture and mass media, diplomats, deputies of the Mejlis, and entrepreneurs from the cities of Ashgabat, Arkadag and all the velayats of the country. Honorary titles of Turkmenistan were conferred on 38 citizens, including the title «People's Artist of Turkmenistan» for four people, and «People's Painter of Turkmenistan» and «People's Bagshi of Turkmenistan» for one person each. Among those awarded honorary titles are also workers of industry, construction, transport, communications, agriculture, healthcare and culture, performers, journalists, and two pilots of the Government Aviation Group.