The Jammu and Kashmir government marked the eve of Republic Day 2026 by honoring 56 individuals for their exceptional contributions across various fields. The awards ceremony celebrated achievements in social reforms, bravery, sports, literature, performing arts, and industrial entrepreneurship, highlighting the diverse talent and dedication within the region.
Social Reforms and Empowerment Recognitions
In the category of social reforms and empowerment, three notable figures were awarded for their impactful work. Arhan Bagati, the Founder of KYARI (Kashmir’s Yumberzal Applied Research Institute), received recognition for his advocacy of inclusivity and accessibility. At just 26 years old, Bagati is not only the youngest awardee this year but also serves as the Awareness and Impact Ambassador of the Paralympic Committee of India. He gained fame as India's first and the world's youngest Deputy Chef de Mission for the Paralympic contingent, taking on the role at age 22 for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Bagati has also played a pivotal role in reviving Bollywood's interest in Kashmir, collaborating with filmmakers to showcase the Valley's cinematic potential and promote it as a safe, vibrant destination for creative expression. His involvement as a co-producer of the 2025 Hindi-language action thriller film Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi, underscores his multifaceted contributions.
Other awardees in this category include Mehjabeen Nabi, President and Founder of the Care Foundation and Charitable Trust in Srinagar, and Saadat Nasir Wani Sogami, Chairman of Team Red NGO, Kashmir, both recognized for their dedicated efforts in social empowerment.
Bravery Awards for Heroic Acts
The awards also honored individuals for acts of bravery, with Adil Hussain Shah posthumously receiving recognition for his courageous efforts during the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. A resident of Hapatnar village in Pahalgam, Shah lost his life while trying to save tourists during an attack in Baisaran Valley on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 25 tourists. His bravery was acknowledged with a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a citation.
Additionally, Police Sub-Inspector Nikhil Kumar from Gangyal Police Station was awarded in this category, receiving a cash reward of ₹51,000 along with a citation for his commendable service.
Lifetime Achievement and Public Service Honors
Former IAS officer Mohammad Shafi Pandit was posthumously awarded the lifetime achievement award, honoring his long-standing contributions to public service. In the category of Meritorious Public Service, several officials were recognized, including Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, V S Senthil Kumar; Managing Director of J-K Medical Supplies Corporation, Tariq Ganai; Additional Secretary to the Government in the General Administration Department, Rohit Sharma; Superintending Engineer of the Public Works (R-B) Department, Pooja Wazir; and Dr (Prof) Majid Jahangir, Principal of Government Medical College, Baramulla.
Celebrating Literature, Sports, and Arts
The awards extended to achievements in literature, with recipients such as Yashpaul Nirmal (Dogri litterateur), Choudhary Hassan Parwaz (Gojri), Parwaiz Manoos (Pahari), Fayaz Dilbar (poet, posthumously), Kewal Krishan Sharma (writer/poet), and Rattan Lal Sharma (writer, translator) being honored.
In sports, cricketer Auqib Nabi Dar was among the awardees in the outstanding sports persons category. Dar, a rising Indian cricketer, recently made headlines after being bought by the Delhi Capitals for ₹8.4 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, signaling his potential as an exciting uncapped talent. Other sports awardees include Brijesh Sharma (cricket), Rakesh Singh (judo), Vishal Khajuria (judo), Saleem Kumar (wushu), Ravees Ahmad (athlete), Sudipti Khanna (gymnastics), Mohammad Iqbal (athlete), and Aiyza Naz Chib (skating).
The performing arts category recognized talents like Tanya Dev Gupta (singer), Anil Tickoo (actor), Ayash Arif (actor/director), Abdul Hamid Bhat (Rabab artist), Raman Singh Slathia (Dogri folk singer), Sunil Sharma (singer/music director), Ajay Kumar Sharma (theatre), Sudesh K Verma (producer/director), and Neeraj Verma (tabla artist).
Excellence in Arts, Crafts, and Entrepreneurship
Awards for excellence in arts and crafts were given to Sajjad Husain Bhat (Sozni artisan), Bhushan Kesar (artist/art educator), Mohammad Shafi Bhat (Kani artisan), Razia Mushtaq (artisan), and Ishfar Ali (senior craft instructor, Paper Pulp). In the category of Outstanding Industrial Entrepreneurship, the awardees are Mohammad Niyaz-ul-Kabir (GR8 Sports), Sheikh Yameen (Heaventure Adventures Private Limited), and Sunil Singh (Walnut Grower, Kishtwar Gold Walnut Farm).
This comprehensive recognition by the Jammu and Kashmir government underscores the region's commitment to celebrating diverse contributions and inspiring future generations across various sectors.
