Meghalaya’s Hally War honoured for social work rooted in living root bridge heritage; Assam, Arunachal, Nagaland and Manipur also feature prominently*
Guwahati, Jan 25: The announcement of the Padma Awards 2026 has brought national recognition to several individuals from Northeast India, spotlighting the region’s contributions to art, culture, agriculture, social work and public life on the eve of Republic Day.
The Union government has approved 131 Padma Awards this year—5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri—according to a press note issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Ten personalities from the Northeast have been conferred the Padma Shri, including two posthumous awards.
The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced annually on Republic Day.
This year’s list includes awardees from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur, reflecting the growing national visibility of grassroots work, indigenous knowledge systems and cultural traditions from the Northeast.
Meghalaya: Living heritage recognised
From Meghalaya, Hally War has been awarded the Padma Shri for Social Work, recognising his lifelong efforts to nurture and preserve the state’s iconic living root bridges, a unique example of bio-engineered heritage and sustainable living.
Congratulating him, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described Hally War as a “true ambassador of our heritage, traditions and sustainable living,” recalling a visit to Siej village in the East Khasi Hills where War began weaving living root bridges at the age of just ten. The Chief Minister highlighted his deep respect for nature, traditional knowledge and community leadership.
Assam’s cultural and public life contributions
From Assam, Haricharan Saikia and Nuruddin Ahmed have been conferred the Padma Shri for Art, recognising their enduring contributions to the state’s cultural and artistic landscape. A renowned director, art director, set and costume designer, Nuruddin Ahmed, sparked a renaissance in Assamese theatre and brought major national and state events to life as a scenographer, sustaining Assamese cultural expression despite limited resources.
Jogesh Deuri has been honoured in the Agriculture category for his work rooted in sericulture.
Veteran political leader of Assam and former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha has been posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to public affairs, recognising his role in national politics and development discourse.
Arunachal, Nagaland and Manipur shine
From Arunachal Pradesh, Techi Gubin has received the Padma Shri for Social Work. A cultural custodian of the Nyishi community, he has worked tirelessly to preserve indigenous faith and traditions while leading community initiatives across more than 90 border villages, often symbolically hoisting the national tricolour.
Sangyusang S Pongener of Nagaland has been honoured in the Art category for dedicating his life to preserving and promoting Naga indigenous folk traditions, keeping them alive through original folk dramas and songs.
From Manipur, Yumnam Jatra Singh has been conferred the Padma Shri posthumously for Art. A master of Nata Sankirtana, he devoted his life to the classical Manipuri tradition, bridging royal patronage and grassroots cultural practice.
