Poonam Nath

Padma Awards 2025:Joynacharan Bathari and 4 more awarded; Deets here

Digital Desk: On Saturday, the central government unveiled the names of unsung heroes for the coveted Padma Shri award ahead of Republic Day.

Joynacharan Bathari, Gokul Chandra Das, L Hangthing, Naren Gurung, and Jumde Yomgam Gamlin are among the prominent names on the list.

Speaking of the awardees:

Joycharan Bathari of Dima Hasao, commonly known as the Joy of Dimasa, has been given the Fourth Highest Civilian Award "Padma Shri" in the Arts Category (Vocals-Flock-Dimasa).

L Hangthing of Nagaland, popularly known as Noklak's fruit man, has more than 30 years of experience farming non-native fruits.

Gokul Chandra Dey (Ma Durgor Dhaki Das), a 57-year-old Dhak player from West Bengal, was also recognized for breaking gender stereotypes by training 150 women in a male-dominated field.

Naren Gurung (Nepali geet ke Guru Gurung) is a versatile folk performer from Gangtok who has dedicated 60 years to promoting and preserving Sikkimese Nepali folk music and dance traditions.

For the past three decades, Jumde Yomgam Gamlin, better known as Nasha-Mukti ki Nayika, has worked diligently for drug prohibition and social transformation in his community.

Gamlin formed Mother's Vision NGO, which led anti-drug efforts with local women's cooperation. Marijuana and opium growing were eradicated in the Geku and Katan regions.

The Padma Awards are one of India's highest civilian accolades, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.