Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 26
The contributions of several individuals from Nagaland were recognised and honoured with prestigious awards on Republic Day 2025, including the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, alongside bravery and distinguished service honours.
As per the awards announced by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day, L Hangthing was conferred the Padma Shri in the category of ‘Others-Agriculture.’
According to an update from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on social media, Hangthing, a fruit farmer from Noklak, Nagaland, has over 30 years of expertise in cultivating non-native fruits.
He introduced non-native fruit and vegetable saplings to his region, sharing this knowledge with over 200 farmers across 40 villages, it added.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated Hangthing on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating: “His work is a true gift to the farming community, and his impact on agricultural promotion is both invaluable and inspiring…”
The Padma Awards, among the highest civilian awards in the country, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. For 2025, the President approved the conferment of 139 Padma Awards, comprising 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, covering various fields including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
In addition, a person from Nagaland was among the 49 recipients of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards for 2024.
This Government of India award recognises individuals who have performed meritorious acts of human nature in saving a life.
Y Pongba (Konyak) was one of the 23 awardees of the Jeevan Raksha Padak, the third category in the series. He was recognised for reportedly rescuing six people during a big fire at Burma Camp in Dimapur in 2023, risking his life. The first two categories are Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak.
The decoration of the award consists of a Medal, Certificate signed by the Union Home Minister and lump sum Monetary Allowance.
Meanwhile, four police officers from Nagaland were honoured for exceptional services. Assistant Commandant Imtiakum Pongen was conferred the President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM). The other three – Assistant Superintendent of Police Shouka Kakheto, Sub-Inspector Zasilie Angami, and Naik Metseirovi Sakhrie – received the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).
Apart from Hangthing, all other recipients received their awards from Nagaland Governor La Ganesan during the State-level celebration of the 76th Republic Day at the Secretariat Plaza in Kohima on January 26.
These Padma awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March or April every year.
