Guwahati: One of the key architects of BJP’s organisational expansion in the northeast, former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha, has been posthumously named as a recipient of ‘Padma Shri’. Four others from the state have also been named in the list released on Sunday. Purkayastha died on Jan 7 at the age of 94.In a post on ‘X’, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote: “It is a proud moment for us that Late Kabindra Purkayastha Ji has been conferred with the Padma Shri (posthumous) for his contributions to public service. The contributions of all the awardees inspire us all- Assam is immensely proud of their achievements.”One person each from Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura has been listed for the award.Besides Purkayastha, acclaimed artist from Assam Haricharan Saikia has been named as a recipient of the award in the art category. He expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for honouring him with the award.The award will be conferred upon Jogesh Deuri in the field of agriculture and Nuruddin Ahmed in the field of art. Pokhila Lekthepi from Assam will also get the award in the art category. Naresh Chandra Dev Varma from Tripura will receive the award for his work in the field of literature and education, Techi Gubin from Arunachal for social work, Yumnam Jatra Singh (posthumous) from Manipur in the field of art, Sangyusang S Pongener from Nagaland also in the field of art and Hally War from Meghalaya for social work.Five from Manipur Police have been selected for the Gallantry Medals. The recipients are Langoljam Lenin Singh (assistant SI), Sidrath Thokchom (assistant SI), Thounaojam Nichal Singh (havildar), Kumam Premananda Singh (rifleman) and Ngasepam Vim Singh (constable).Seven people from the northeast, including three inspector generals, have been selected for the “President’s Medal for Distinguished Services” and 37 police personnel from the region will receive the “Medal for Meritorious Service”. Of them, two are from Arunachal, 14 from Assam, 7 from Manipur, 2 from Meghalaya, 3 from Mizoram and 6 from Tripura.
