Two eminent personalities from Assam received India’s fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri award on Wednesday in New Delhi.
Social worker Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme and artist Hemoprova Chutia received the prestigious award during a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred the award to the two eminent personalities.
Hemoprava Chutia, who is also the recipient of Assam Gaurav Award, hails from the state’s Dibrugarh district, Moran. Hemoprova aaideo, as she is fondly called weaved the Bhagavad Gita on cloth in English. The fabric crafted with the writings of the holy script was inaugurated on December 5, 2021 by Satradhikar Shri Shri Pitambar Debo Goswami in Dibrugarh.
Hemoprava’s exceptional weaving skill has made her stand out of the rest and an ideal for the society for her work on fabric.
Hemoprava aaideo previously wove the Bhagavad Gita on cloth, a 700-verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. She completed the noble task in accordance with traditional rituals. Her fourth work is an English translation of the Bhagavad Gita on cloth. The sacred scripted cloth is approximately 280 feet long and two feet wide. This elegant work of art took her nearly three years to complete.
Apart from weaving, Hemoprava Chutia has written three well-known holy books: Gunamala, Naam Ghosa, and Mod Bhagavad Gita Mod. She wrote the Vaishnavite scripture ‘Nam Ghosa’ in 2016, which Shri Madhabdev wrote in Assamese between 1568 and 1596.
Hemoprava has earlier received several honours and recognition for her expertise in weaving. She has received the ‘Bakul Bon Award’, ‘Aai Kanaklata Award’ and state government’s ‘Hand-loom and textile award’ for her excellence towards weaving.
President Droupadi Murmu presents Padma Shri to Smt Hemoprova Chutia for Art. A handloom weaver and artist of Assam, she has a unique style and skill in handloom weaving. pic.twitter.com/yC1nGVt7B8
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 5, 2023
Meanwhile, the caption for Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme reads, “President Droupadi Murmu presents Padma Shri to Shri Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme for Social Work. A social worker from Assam, he propagates indigenous culture and faith. He has also contributes towards women’s empowerment and girl education.”
President Droupadi Murmu presents Padma Shri to Shri Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme for Social Work. A social worker from Assam, he propagates indigenous culture and faith. He has also contributed towards women's empowerment and girl education. pic.twitter.com/8QBNy3j0di
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 5, 2023
Ramkuiwangbe Newme, a Naga social worker who has dedicated his life to the protection and preservation of the less well-known Heraka faith, has been chosen to receive the Padma Shri Award this year.
A native of Dima Hasao, Newme has acquired the title of Hero of Heraka by preserving and promoting the traditional culture of the Heraka people.
Ten primary schools were founded by Newme throughout his lifetime, and he promoted women’s education. Even the Heraka religious text “Tingwang Hingde” was transcribed by Newme.
Haipou Jadonang, a Naga spiritual guide and political activist from Manipur, British India, founded the Heraka religious organisation. The veneration of the supreme god, “Tingkao Ragwang,” was emphasised by the Heraka faith. Although this deity was accepted as the creator god in the old religion, he or she played a very minor role in daily life as one of many gods.
Earlier on March 22, Sattriya Artist from Assam’s Majuli Hem Chandra Goswami received the Padma Shri awards for Art.
