Two from Nagaland conferred Padma Shri

January 27, 2023 332 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 27

Two persons from Nagaland – Moa Subong and Neihunuo Sorhie, were among the 106 Padma awardees announced by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on the occasion of Republic Day 2023.

Both were conferred the prestigious Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for contributions in the field of Arts.

Padma Shri Moa is the co-founder of folk fusion band Abiogenesis, one of the oldest and renowned band from the State. Started with his wife Arenla Subong, the band has won several accolades including the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Music.

He is also credited for ‘bamhum’ a flute-like musical instrument made of bamboo, for which he has received several commendations.He also developed ‘Tikzik,’ a Naga Bamboo percussion instrument.

Abiogenesis is also known for the ‘Howey music,’ a fusion of traditional Naga music and other modern rhythm.

Meanwhile, Padma Shri Sorhie, a two-time winner of the National Handloom Award, is known in the traditional handicraft circle for her meticulous ‘attention to detail’ on patterns in her traditional weaves as well as her creative original art motifs in traditional handicraft circle.

Also a recipient of the Sant Kabir Award, she had represented Nagaland in various national and international handloom events.

She mentored many women in learning the age old Naga craft and trained over 300 people, besides running a handicraft store in Kohima for at least two decades.

Previous awardees
With the addition of two in 2023, a total of 18 personalities representing Nagaland have been honoured with Padma Awards so far.

Out of this, two are Padma Bhushan, considered the third highest civilian honours of the country, while the rest – 16 are Padma Shri.

The first the first Padma awardee was the late Late Thepfürüya Haralu (T Haralu), who was conferred the award in 1964 in the field of ‘Civil Service.’ However, his name is listed recipients from Andhra in Padma Awards Dashboard hosted by the MHA.

Accordingly, as per the Dashboard hosted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the first Padma awardee from Nagaland was Rev L Kijungluba Ao, who received Padma Shri for ‘Social Word’ in 1966.

The two winners of Padma Bhushan are the late Rani Gaidinliu for ‘Social Word’ in 1982 and the former Chief Minister of Nagaland as well as former Governor, Dr Senayangba Chubatoshi Jamir for “Public Affairs” in 2020.

None from the State has been conferred either Bharat Ratna or Padma Vibhushan, the highest and 2nd highest civilian honours of the country respectively.

What are Padma Awards?
Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri annually.

According to information given on the Padma Dashboard, the awards were instituted in the year 1954, and are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997.

The Awards are given in various disciplines/fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

The Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.

However, Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.

All nominations are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.

The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.

The awards are presented by the President of India usually in the month of March/April every year where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.

For the year 2023, the President had approved conferment of 106 Padma Awards including 3 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one).

The list comprised 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 91 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees were women and the list also includes 2 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 7 Posthumous awardees.