Sano Vamuzo, former chairperson of the Nagaland Women Commission and founding member of Naga Mothers’ Association, has been honoured with Padma Shri 2024 for distinguished service in the field of Social Work. 83 years Vamuzo is acknowledged for “spearheading peace campaigns and championing women’s representation”.

The widow of former Nagaland chief minister Vamüzo Phesao, Sano is the daughter of Late Dr. Sevilie Iralu and Late Vituno Iralu.

Sano pursued her early education from various places across Nagaland due to her father’s frequent transfers as a medical doctor. She attended Government schools in Nagaland, such as – Kigwema, Kohima, Phek, and Mokokchung. After passing Class IX from Naga National High School, Kohima, Sano along with her family members sought refuge underground due to heavy army operations all over Nagaland in 1956. On return, she appeared her matriculation as a private candidate in 1958. She completed Intermediate Arts (I.A.) in 1961 and B.A. in 1963 from Guwahati University, B.Ed. from Bombay University in 1965, and M.A. (Education) from NorthEastern Hill University (NEHU) in 1980. She also qualified in Assistant Leaders’ Training (ALT) and Himalaya Wood Badge (G) in Girl Guiding from Pachmari, Madhya Pradesh from 1968 – 1970.

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Some Experiences & Credentials details provided by the family of Vamuzo:

• Taught in Government High School, Kohima as Assistant Teacher, 1964.
• Taught in Baptist English School, Kohima, 1966.
• Started a Church School at Chozuba– Mission English School (now Eastern Christian School, Chozuba) and served as Headmistress, 1967-’71.
• Headmistress, Baptist English School, Kohima, 1972.
• Served as State Organizing Commissioner (G), Bharat Scouts & Guides Nagaland, Kohima, 1972, and later as its Vice President for several years • Taught in Baptist College, Kohima as lecturer, 1982.
• Founded the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) with few concerned mothers in 1983 to fight social evils and uplift the status of women, with the motto: “Human Integrity.” She served as its first President for 7 (seven) years, i.e., 1984-1991.
• Recipient of Navjyoti Award from the Delhi Police Foundation for outstanding achievement in social services for the youth in recognition of NMA’s contributions to the society.
• Served as the first Chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women for two terms, 2007-2010 & 2010-2013.
• Apart from the above experiences and achievements, Sano also actively engaged and involved with her husband, Late Vamuzo, former Chief Minister of Nagaland throughout his political career, which spanned over three decades.
• Sano has deep concerns for the unresolved political conflicts and social issues that continue to plague the Naga society. Having seen the serious effects on successive generations, firstly by alcohol, then drugs, and now mobile phones and many others, she shares her concerns, having great hopes that these issues can be resolved through God’s wisdom and the initiative of leaders at all levels and spheres.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced awardees for the Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, on the eve of Republic Day 2024. The awards are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March / April every year.

For the year 2024, the President has approved conferment of 132 Padma Awards including two duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women and the list also includes eight persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and nine Posthumous awardees.