NEW DELHI (India): Legendary tribal leader and founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Shibu Soren has been posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in the Public Affairs category as part of the Padma Awards 2026 announced on the eve of Republic Day.
The Union government on Sunday released the list of 131 recipients, which include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awardees, according to a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India. The awards recognize distinguished service of high order across varied fields including public affairs, art, social work, science, education and sports. Shibu Soren’s name features among the Padma Bhushan honorees, reflecting his enduring legacy in tribal politics and public service.
Shibu Soren, who died on August 4 last year at the age of 81, was a towering figure in India’s tribal rights movement and a key architect of Jharkhand’s statehood. Born into the Santhal tribal community in what is now Jharkhand, Soren began his political career in the early 1970s, co-founding the JMM to champion the rights of tribal peoples and advocate for a separate state to address marginalization and socio-economic exclusion. His decades-long struggle contributed significantly to the creation of Jharkhand on November 15, 2000.
Over a political career spanning nearly five decades, Soren served multiple terms as a Member of Parliament from the Dumka constituency and was also elected to the Rajya Sabha. He held the office of Chief Minister of Jharkhand on three occasions and was appointed Union Minister for Coal. His leadership in grassroots movements and his role in shaping policies for tribal welfare made him a revered figure among Indigenous communities.
The Padma Bhushan citation for Soren recognizes his contribution to public affairs and his lifelong advocacy for tribal communities. Following his death, there were widespread calls within Jharkhand for further posthumous recognition, including resolutions by the state assembly seeking the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in acknowledgment of his pivotal role in the state’s formation.
In addition to Soren, several other tribal figures have been honored in the 2026 Padma list. Bhiklya Ladakya Dhindya, a musician from Palghar district of Maharashtra, has been selected for the Padma Shri (art) award for preserving the art of playing the Tarpa, a traditional tribal instrument.
Similarly, Taga Ram Bheel, a musician from Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, has been selected for the Padma Shri (art) award. He has received the award for preserving the art of playing the Algoza (a twin flute), a folk instrument.
The first full-time Director of National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) in Ladakh, Dr Padma Gurmet, a Tibetan medicine expert, selected for the Padma Shri (medicine) for focusing on the preservation of Himalayan traditional knowledge and the development of high-altitude medicinal plants. He advocates the integration of traditional Sowa-Rigpa, or “Amchi,” medicine with modern healthcare and leads projects like the Tribal Health Care Research Program and capacity building for tribal healers.
West Bengal-based writer (Santali language) Rabilal Tudu has been awarded Padma Shri in the Literature and Education category. Tudu had received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015.
Techi Gubin from Arunachal Pradesh has been named for Padma Shri award for his Social Work. He has been working relentlessly for preserving the indigenous faith and culture of the Nyishi community even as his patriotism-filled travel across the border villages has gained much traction.
Sangyusang S Pongener has been awarded Padma Shri for his inspiring work in the field of Art, wherein he has been promoting and preserving Naga indigenous folk traditions. A creator of original folk dramas and songs, he has been training the youth of his State in the field too.
Meghalaya’s Hally War of Siej village in East Khasi Hills has been selected for the Padma Shri in the category of social work, in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the conservation of living root bridges.
Pokhila Lekthepi, the iconic Karbi folk singer from Assam has been chosen for Padma Shri for her four decades of contribution to the field of Art. Her voice has resonated across the hills of Karbi Anglong for over 40 years. She received the Assam Gaurav Award, the state’s third-highest civilian honor, in 2024.
Among the recipients are Bhagwandas Raikwar (sports), Bundeli war art trainer from Madhya Pradesh, and Santali author Charan Hembram (literature and eduction) from Odisha.
‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.
The awards this year reflect a broad geographical and disciplinary diversity, highlighting contributions from individuals across India’s varied cultural landscape. Government officials said the honors aim to celebrate service that strengthens the social fabric and encourages inclusion in India’s democratic and cultural life.
The Padma Awards ceremony, traditionally held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, will bring together this year’s honorees for recognition by the President of India. The Padma Bhushan for Shibu Soren underscores his enduring impact on tribal rights, regional identity politics and public service within the Indian republic.
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