Bhubaneswar: Eminent linguist and educationist Mahendra Kumar Mishra was conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu at the civil investiture ceremony-1 at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. Hailing from Kalahandi, Mishra was instrumental in introducing multilingual education (MLE) in Odisha, where he invigorated tribal language and culture as tools for learning. Leading initiatives in the state, he spearheaded MLE programmes in 21 tribal languages.
This year, four persons who contributed immensely towards enriching the culture and heritage of the state were chosen for the Padma Shri awards. Apart from Mishra, the others are Santali writer and cultural activist Charan Hembram, Prahallad Natak exponent guru Simanchal Patro and master weaver Sarat Kumar Patra. They will receive the honour at the civil investiture ceremony-2.
Mishra's work has been pivotal in preserving and promoting tribal languages in Odisha. His efforts have ensured that children from tribal communities receive education in their mother tongue, thereby improving learning outcomes and cultural preservation. The multilingual education model he developed has been recognized nationally and internationally as a successful approach to inclusive education.
The Padma Shri award is one of India's highest civilian honors, recognizing exceptional contributions in various fields. Mishra's recognition underscores the importance of linguistic diversity and education in indigenous languages. The other awardees from Odisha also represent the rich cultural tapestry of the state, from Santali literature to traditional performing arts and handloom weaving.
