A warm reception was accorded to L. Hangthing, the Padma Shri awardee from Noklak, at Dimapur Airport on May 29. Organized jointly by the Khiamniungan Students’ Union Dimapur, Khiamniungan Union Dimapur, and the Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam Dimapur Unit, the event marked a proud moment for the Khiamniungan community and the state of Nagaland at large.

Hangthing, who was recently conferred the Padma Shri for his exemplary contributions to agriculture, was welcomed by hundreds of supporters and community leaders. In his address, he reflected on his agricultural journey, which began in 1988, and emphasized that his success was made possible through the collective support of the Naga community, government departments, and the blessings of God.

Hangthing said that coming from a humble background, raised among ten siblings without access to formal education, he turned to farming as a means of livelihood. Transitioning from traditional cultivation methods to advanced agricultural practices, he made significant strides by adopting scientific approaches through government training initiatives. His work in nursery development and crop adaptation for various climatic conditions has been nationally recognized.

Hangthing stated that the award was not solely a personal achievement but a recognition of the resilience and potential of the Naga people. He called for a renewed focus on sustainable farming and encouraged the people to explore agriculture as a viable and dignified career path.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

The Padma Shri was presented to him by President Droupadi Murmu during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on May 27. The event was also attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others. This year, a total of 139 Padma awards were conferred, including seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.

Short speeches were also delivered by leaders including Kamthong, President of the Khiamniungan Union Dimapur, Thang Hoikam Dimapur, representatives of the Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam Dimapur Unit and Pheniang, Vice President of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Dimapur (ENPUD). They commended Hangthing’s lifelong commitment to agriculture and hailed his achievement as a beacon of hope for rural communities.

The programme was chaired by President of the Khiamniungan Students’ Union Dimapur Muno Shiu and invocation and scripture reading were delivered by Youth Pastor of Khiamniungan Baptist Church Diphupar B Pukho.