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Santali Author Charan Hembram Elated with Padma Shri Nomination

Santali author and composer Charan Hembram has expressed immense happiness at his nomination for the prestigious Padma Shri award. He has dedicated his life to tribal development, establishing schools and writing books to promote Santali culture and combat superstition. His work follows the guidance of his guru, pioneering Santali writer Pandit Raghunath Murmu. The award is part of a group of four Padma Shri honors for Odisha, which Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed as a moment of great pride for the state's art and culture.

Key Points: Charan Hembram's Padma Shri Joy: A Tribal Culture Sentinel

  • Padma Shri nomination for Santali author
  • Established schools for tribal education
  • Wrote five books on tribal heritage
  • Guided by pioneer Pandit Raghunath Murmu
  • Four awardees from Odisha bring state pride
2 min read

Odisha: Santali author Charan Hembram expresses joy at Padma Shri nomination

Santali author Charan Hembram expresses joy at his Padma Shri nomination for his lifelong work in tribal education and cultural preservation.

"The development of tribal communities and the spread of education among tribals are the biggest challenges before me. - Charan Hembram"

Bhubaneswar, Jan 25

Prominent Santali author and composer Charan Hembram on Sunday expressed immense happiness at his Padma Shri nomination.

Speaking to IANS, Hembram said, "My family and I are very happy to hear the news."

Sharing his contributions towards the development of tribals, Hembram stated that he has established several schools to promote the education and culture of tribal people and has worked hard to eradicate the widespread superstition among tribals through the spread of education.

The sentinel of the Santali language and culture also added that he has written five books on the culture and heritage of tribals.

"Around 70 organisations from Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal awarded and felicitated me. The development of tribal communities and the spread of education among tribals are the biggest challenges before me," noted Hembram.

Hembram revealed that he has devoted his life to the development of tribals, following the guidance of his Guru and pioneering Santali writer and educator Pandit Raghunath Murmu.

On the eve of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, the Union government on Sunday announced the coveted Padma Awards for 2026. Among the awardees, four eminent personalities from Odisha have been selected to receive the Padma Shri, marking a moment of great pride for the state.

According to the official notification released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday, prominent Santali author and composer Charan Hembram, eminent linguist and folklorist Mahendra Kumar Mishra, and noted artists Seemanchal Patro and Sarat Kumar Patra will get the fourth-highest civilian award of the country.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated all the eminent personalities for getting selected for this coveted award.

"The nomination of Charan Hembram and Mahendra Kumar Mishra from Odisha in the field of literature and education, and Sharat Kumar Patra and Seemanchal Patra in the field of art, for the Padma Shri Award for the year 2026 is a matter of immense pride and honour for the entire state. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to all of you. This achievement of yours has given Odisha's art and culture a new identity at the national level. I pray to Lord Jagannath for your bright future and continued progress," Majhi wrote on his X handle.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
As someone from Odisha, this fills me with immense pride. The Santali culture and language are integral parts of our state's identity. Hembram sir following in the footsteps of Pandit Raghunath Murmu shows a beautiful guru-shishya parampara. Well-deserved Padma Shri!
R
Rohit P
While I'm happy for the awardees, I sometimes feel the Padma awards come too late in life for many genuine contributors. Hembram sir has been working for decades. Earlier recognition could have amplified his impact. Still, better late than never!
M
Meera T
Establishing schools and writing books to preserve tribal heritage... this is real nation-building work. We need more such stories in the mainstream media instead of just politics and cinema. Congratulations to all the awardees from Odisha! 🎉
D
David E
Reading this from abroad. It's fascinating to see India's commitment to honoring its diverse linguistic and cultural traditions. Charan Hembram's work sounds vital for both education and cultural preservation. A well-deserved honor.
K
Kavya N
His mention of 70 organizations from three states awarding him shows his impact was already recognized by the people. The Padma Shri is a formal stamp from the nation. Bahut bahut mubarak ho! May his work continue to flourish.

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