A Proud Moment for the State
In a celebration of cultural preservation, traditional craftsmanship, and public service, President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious Padma Shri awards to five distinguished personalities from Assam. The honors were conferred during the year’s first civil investiture ceremony held on Monday at the Ganatantra Mandap inside Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
The high-profile event was attended by top national leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. For the year 2026, the President approved a total of 131 Padma Awards—comprising five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honours—with an explicit focus on unsung heroes from remote and tribal communities. Assam emerged as the highest contributor to the civilian awards list from the entire Northeast region.
Meet the Awardees from Assam
The five awardees represent a diverse spectrum of fields, ranging from classical performance art and indigenous agriculture to grassroots music and posthumous political legacy:
- Haricharan Saikia (Art): A veteran Sattriya exponent who has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting the institutional neo-Vaishnavite classical dance form of Assam.
- Nuruddin Ahmed (Art): A master sculptor and production designer celebrated for creating magnificent traditional art installations and keeping regional craftsmanship alive.
- Jogesh Deuri (Science & Engineering / Agriculture): A widely recognized silk expert whose scientific interventions have revolutionized indigenous sericulture and empowered local weavers.
- Pokila Lekthepi (Art): A grassroots Karbi folk music artist who has worked silently to protect the oral musical traditions and heritage of her community.
- Kabindra Purkayastha (Public Affairs): The veteran leader and former Union Minister was honored posthumously for his lifelong contribution to public service and political development in the region.
Regional Representation Across the Northeast
The wave of happiness extended beyond Assam, as several iconic figures from sister states were also decorated with civilian honors for their quiet contributions to society without much public attention:
- Nagaland: Sangyusang S. Pongener
- Arunachal Pradesh: Techi Gubin
- Manipur: Yumnam Jatra Singh
- Tripura: Naresh Chandra Dev Varma
- Meghalaya: Hally War
The 2026 awards have been widely lauded across regional socio-cultural circles for highlighting individuals from difficult geographical terrains, ensuring that grassroots excellence receives the national validation it deserves.
