NEW DELHI, April 8 � President Pranab Mukherjee today honoured noted film-maker Jahnu Barua, litterateur Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora, environmentalist Jadav Payeng and founder of Shillong Choir Group Neil Herbert Nongkynrih with Padma Awards.
While Jahnu Barua was awarded Padma Bhushan, Dr Bora, Payeng and Nongkynrih were conferred Padma Shri.
The Shillong Choir Group was founded by Nongkynrih in 2002 and since then it has grown into a highly decorated choir group not only in India, but also at the international level.
The awards were given away at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. The awards were announced on the eve of this year�s Republic Day.
Apart from Padma Vibhushan, the President conferred awards in other categories namely, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
While acknowledging the honour bestowed upon him, Jahnu Barua said the government should accord priority to regional films, which need an extra boost. More steps were needed from the government side, he said.
Welcoming the award, Dr Bora said it was a recognition for the people of Assam. He said the award was an outcome of his lifelong hard work.
Dr Bora said Assam faced a number of serious problems like flood and influx of illegal Bangladeshis and for solving these problems, an able leadership was needed in the State. An able leader would be able to resolve these issues, he said.
Stating that merely bestowing an honour would not do, Payeng said the only answer to the environmental degradation was that the government should take steps to safeguard the environment.
NEW DELHI, April 8 � President Pranab Mukherjee today honoured noted film-maker Jahnu Barua, litterateur Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora, environmentalist Jadav Payeng and founder of Shillong Choir Group Neil Herbert Nongkynrih with Padma Awards.
While Jahnu Barua was awarded Padma Bhushan, Dr Bora, Payeng and Nongkynrih were conferred Padma Shri.
The Shillong Choir Group was founded by Nongkynrih in 2002 and since then it has grown into a highly decorated choir group not only in India, but also at the international level.
The awards were given away at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. The awards were announced on the eve of this year�s Republic Day.
Apart from Padma Vibhushan, the President conferred awards in other categories namely, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
While acknowledging the honour bestowed upon him, Jahnu Barua said the government should accord priority to regional films, which need an extra boost. More steps were needed from the government side, he said.
Welcoming the award, Dr Bora said it was a recognition for the people of Assam. He said the award was an outcome of his lifelong hard work.
Dr Bora said Assam faced a number of serious problems like flood and influx of illegal Bangladeshis and for solving these problems, an able leadership was needed in the State. An able leader would be able to resolve these issues, he said.
Stating that merely bestowing an honour would not do, Payeng said the only answer to the environmental degradation was that the government should take steps to safeguard the environment.
