President Droupadi Murmu presents Padma Shri to Hemoprova Chutia in field of Art and Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme in field of Social Work from Assam in Civil Investiture Ceremony.
Hemoprova Chutia is well known handloom weaver and artist of Assam.
Born on 22ndSeptember, 1955 in Photikachowa Abhoypuria Village, district Dibrugarh in the state of Assam, Smt Chutia’s father was a primary school teacher. She could receive education only upto matriculation level.
Chutia weaved out four great books namely “Gunamala” written by Srimanta Sankardeva, “Namgukha” written by Madhabdeva and Bhagawat Gita in a unique style in her handloom, in Assamese, Sanskrit and English language. She weaved out all the text of these books in her handloom in the form of four different cloths. This is called in Assamese “Barnab Astra”. The holy book “Gunamala” is weaved out in Assamese language. The length of the cloth is 80 ft and breadth is 18 inches, prepared in Muga cloth with Black wool. The holy book “Namgukha” is weaved out in Assamese language, with Muga silk and Black wool of length 200 ft and breadth 2 ft. The holy book “Bhagawat Gita” is weaved out in both Sanskrit and English language with Muga silk and green wool.Length of the Bhagawat Gita Sanskrit “Barnabastra” is 150 ft and breadth 2 ft.Length of the Bhagawat Gita English “Barnabastra” is 280ft and breadth is 2 ft.
Chutia is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the prestigious “Assam Gourav”, awarded by the Government of Assam in 2022, (one of the highest civilian awards provided by the Government of Assam).
Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme is an eminent social worker from Assam. He is the Patron of the Zeliangrong Heraka Association, North East India.
Born on 25thMay, 1947, Newme obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Shillong Government College in 1975. He was appointed as Personal Assistant to heroic freedom fighter and spiritual luminary Ranima Gaidinliu in 1977. In 1980, Newme was appointed as the Sub-Inspector of Schools under the North Cachar Hills District Council in Haflong and retired as District Primary Education Officer in 2011.
Newme is the founder General Secretary of Zeliangrong Heraka Association, North East India in 1974.
He condemns apostasy and revolted against forceful religious conversion in the North-East region and propagates indigenous culture and faith. His tremendous contribution towards women empowerment and girls education are widely known. He raised many deprived and impoverished students and helped them achieve their dreams.
Newme was instrumental in 2009 peace talk by risking his life and resolving the ethnic conflict between Naga and Dimasa community. He transcripted the Holy book Tingwang Hingde and authored the book Biography of Rani Ma Gaidinliu.
