Guwahati: Thirteen distinguished personalities from the North Eastern States have been named for Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day for their unmatched service to society and the nation. Three from Assam, two from Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland, and one from Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Meghalaya have been named for the Padma Awards.
Hemoprova Chutia, a weaver who wrote ‘Namghosa’ and ‘Shrimad Bhagwat’ in specially weaved ‘Gamocha’. Hem Chandra Goswami is an artist from Vaishnavite heritage peeth Majuli who is a master in Masquerade used in the traditional Bhaona (plays) started by Guru Shankardev. Ramkuiwangbe Jene (social work) is a social worker working relentlessly for the welfare of the Dimasa tribe in Assam’s Dima Hasao hill district.
While K Shanathoiba Sharma (sports), who teaches youth about the traditional Thang Ta sport and Thounaojam Chaoba Singh (public affairs) are from Manipur and Narendra Chandra Debbarma (posthumous in public affairs) and Bikram Bahadur Jamatia (social work) are from Tripura, awarded Padma Shri award by the Government of India. Jamatia was the ‘Akraa’ (priest) of ‘Jamatia Hoda’, a centuries-old body which looks after the socio-economic and educational aspects of the Jamatia tribe, one of the 19 tribes of the 1.1 million tribals in Tripura.
The others are KC Runremsangi (art, Mizoram), KC Runremsangi, a Mizo Folk Singer from Aizawl, safeguarding Mizo cultural heritage for over three decades to receive Padma Shri in the field of art.
While Neihunuo Sorhie Moa Subong (both art) are from Nagaland. Moa Subong, an Eminent Naga Musician and Innovator, developed a new and easy-to-play instrument, ‘Bamhum’, a wind musical instrument made from bamboo to receive Padma Shri in the field of Art (Folk Music). Sorhie also receives the Sant Kabir Award – an Indian Government award conferred to outstanding weavers who have made valuable contributions to keeping handloom heritage alive.
Risingbor Kurkalang, Tribal Duitara Instrument Maker and Musician from East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, to receive Padma Shri in Art (Folk Music). Karma Wangchu (posthumous in social work) from Arunachal Pradesh has been named for the Padma Shri award.
Tula Ram Upreti from Sikkim has been called for the Padma Shri award on organic farming. All 13 personalities have been named for Padma Shri.
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