Agartala, Jan 25: Two Janajati leaders- Late N.C Debbarma and Bikram Bahadur Jamatia have been conferred with prestigious Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards of the country.

Ex-minister and veteran Janajati leader- Narendra Chandra Debbarma (Posthumous) has been awarded in the category- Public Affairs while Bikram Bahadur Jamatia has been honoured for his exemplary contributions in the field of Social Work.

Debbarma, who passed away recently, was devoted to the public welfare throughout his life while Jamatia, former ‘Akraa’ (priest) of Jamatia Hoda, has made rich contributions to the society through his social works. 

A PIB press release said, Padma Awards are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 

These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.

For the year 2023, the President has approved conferment of 106 Padma Awards including 3 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one).

The list comprises 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 91 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 2 persons from the category of Foreigners/ NRI/ PIO/ OCI and 7 Posthumous awardees.