Three prominent personalities from north Bengal and Sikkim will receive the Padma Shri in 2024, the most from the region in any single year.
World-renowned ecologist Eklabya Sharma from Kurseong, craftsman Jordan Lepcha from Mangan, Sikkim, and Bhawaiya song singer Gita Roy Barman from Cooch Behar are the three recipients of the Padma Shri — the fourth highest civilian award.
The names were announced by the Union home ministry on the eve of the Republic Day and the awards are usually handed over by the President during a ceremony in February/March.
“It is a great honour for me and the recognition of the 40 years of work for the sustainable development of the mountains,” said Sharma, 65.
Jordan Lepcha. The Telegraph
Sharma had studied at St Alphonsus School, Kurseong, before completing his higher studies at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
The ecologist is currently the chairperson of the scientific advisory committee of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Uttarakhand, and also the policy adviser to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) — an intergovernmental institution based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sharma was a representative of India at ICIMOD as well as its deputy director general.
Gita Roy Barman. The Telegraph
Jordan Lepcha, 50, is an exponent of traditional bamboo crafts and has specialised in traditional Lepcha hats.
For the past 25 years, he has been working to ensure the continuity of the Lepcha tribe’s cultural identity and has imparted the skills to more than 150 youths from various parts of Sikkim.
Gita Roy Barman, 48, is a singer of the Rajbanshi community’s Bhawaiya folk songs and hails from Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district.
Barma has been practising the art since childhood and currently runs a school to teach Bhawaiya songs. She twice won the state-level Bhawaiya song competitions.
“I would like to thank the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognising my efforts,” said Barma.
Lepcha couldn’t be contacted for his comments on the recognition.
