In a glittering ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presented the first batch of Padma Awards for the year, honouring trailblazers across arts, education, sports, medicine, and public service.
The event, attended by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah radiated national pride as 66 distinguished individuals received India’s prestigious civilian honours.
Among the standout recipients was Dr Mahendra Kumar Mishra from Odisha, conferred the Padma Shri for his extraordinary contributions to Literature and Education.
A renowned educationist, linguist, and folklorist, Dr Mishra has dedicated over four decades to preserving and integrating endangered tribal languages into modern education systems. His work has empowered Adivasi communities, bridged cultural gaps, and inspired countless youth and organisations to champion indigenous heritage.
Other highlights from the ceremony included:
- Padma Vibhushan (2 recipients): Legendary Bollywood icon Dharmendra Singh Deol (posthumous) for his immense contribution to Indian cinema, and noted violinist Dr N. Rajam for her mastery in the arts.
- Padma Bhushan (6 recipients): Eminent gastroenterologist Dr Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswami, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, banker Uday Kotak, artist Dr R. Ganesh, and posthumous honours to Vijay Kumar Malhotra and Piyush Pandey.
- Padma Shri (58 recipients): Cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her leadership in women’s cricket, actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, social worker Techi Gubin from Arunachal Pradesh, para-athlete Praveen Kumar, and literary figure Gambhir Singh Yonzon, among many others.
The President personally handed over the awards in the majestic setting of Rashtrapati Bhavan, turning the occasion into a heartfelt tribute to India’s diverse talents.
Dr Mishra’s recognition shines particularly bright for Odisha and India’s tribal communities, underscoring the nation’s commitment to linguistic diversity and inclusive education.
This first phase of the 2026 Padma Awards not only celebrates individual excellence but also reinforces the values of service, creativity, and cultural preservation that define modern India.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended heartfelt congratulations, describing the award as “a matter of immense pride and honour for the entire state.” In his message, he highlighted Dr. Mishra’s extraordinary contributions to literature, education, and the preservation of endangered tribal languages and cultures.
ନୂଆଦିଲ୍ଲୀର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରପତି ଭବନଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ସମାରୋହରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରପତିଙ୍କଠାରୁ ୨୦୨୬ ମସିହା ପାଇଁ ପଦ୍ମଶ୍ରୀ ପୁରସ୍କାର ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିଥିବା ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଗବେଷକ ଓ ସାହିତ୍ୟିକ ଡ. ମହେନ୍ଦ୍ର କୁମାର ମିଶ୍ରଙ୍କୁ ଆନ୍ତରିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ।
ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଓ ଶିକ୍ଷା କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ତାଙ୍କର ଅବଦାନ ପାଇଁ ମିଳିଥିବା ଏହି… pic.twitter.com/mnADE5hLBS
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) May 25, 2026
Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati also extended congratulations to Dr Mishra. He posted on X:
Heartiest congratulations to Dr. Mahendra Kumar Mishra ji on being conferred the prestigious Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to tribal education, folk literature and indigenous culture.
Hailing from Nuapada, he has made remarkable contributions to preserving Odisha’s… https://t.co/GYRaWqlwB7
— Governor Odisha (@GovernorOdisha) May 25, 2026
