In a significant recognition of contributions from India's northeastern region, the late Kabindra Purkayastha, a former Union minister and one of the key architects of the Bharatiya Janata Party's organisational expansion in the northeast, has been posthumously named as a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award. The announcement, made on Sunday, includes four other individuals from Assam, highlighting the state's rich talent and service.
A Proud Moment for Assam
Kabindra Purkayastha, who passed away on January 7 at the age of 94, is celebrated for his decades of public service and political leadership. In response to the honour, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media platform X to express his pride. He wrote, "It is a proud moment for us that Late Kabindra Purkayastha Ji has been conferred with the Padma Shri (posthumous) for his contributions to public service. The contributions of all the awardees inspire us all- Assam is immensely proud of their achievements." This statement underscores the emotional and cultural significance of the awards for the region.
Diverse Awardees from Northeastern States
The Padma Shri list showcases a wide array of talents and efforts across various fields from the northeast. Beyond Purkayastha, the awardees include:
- Haricharan Saikia from Assam, an acclaimed artist honoured in the art category, who expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the recognition.
- Jogesh Deuri from Assam, recognized in the field of agriculture for his innovative work.
- Nuruddin Ahmed from Assam, awarded in the art category for his artistic contributions.
- Pokhila Lekthepi from Assam, also honoured in the art category, adding to the state's artistic legacy.
Additionally, other northeastern states are represented with one awardee each:
- Naresh Chandra Dev Varma from Tripura for literature and education.
- Techi Gubin from Arunachal Pradesh for social work.
- Yumnam Jatra Singh (posthumous) from Manipur in the field of art.
- Sangyusang S Pongener from Nagaland in the art category.
- Hally War from Meghalaya for social work.
Gallantry and Service Awards for Police Personnel
In a separate but related recognition, five personnel from the Manipur Police have been selected for Gallantry Medals, acknowledging their bravery and dedication. The recipients are:
- Langoljam Lenin Singh (assistant SI)
- Sidrath Thokchom (assistant SI)
- Thounaojam Nichal Singh (havildar)
- Kumam Premananda Singh (rifleman)
- Ngasepam Vim Singh (constable)
Furthermore, seven individuals from the northeast, including three inspector generals, have been chosen for the "President's Medal for Distinguished Services," while 37 police personnel from the region will receive the "Medal for Meritorious Service." The distribution of these awards includes two from Arunachal Pradesh, 14 from Assam, 7 from Manipur, 2 from Meghalaya, 3 from Mizoram, and 6 from Tripura, reflecting a broad acknowledgment of service across the northeastern states.
Celebrating Northeast India's Achievements
This year's Padma awards and related honours highlight the diverse and impactful contributions from India's northeastern region. From politics and art to agriculture and social work, the awardees exemplify the spirit of service and excellence. As Assam and other states celebrate these achievements, it reinforces the importance of recognizing talent and dedication from all corners of the country, fostering a sense of pride and inspiration for future generations.
