Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: President Droupadi Murmu handed the Padma Shri to 81-year-old Ao Naga folk artist Sangyusang S. Pongener on Tuesday. The ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Pongener hails from Ungma village in the Mokokchung district.
He earned the honor under the unsung heroes category for his work in Arts. He spent decades preserving and promoting Ao Naga folk traditions and indigenous culture. Dressed in traditional Naga attire, he stood before the country's top leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries applauded as he received the award.
The event marked the second civil investiture ceremony for this round of honors. Officials presented 65 awards in total. This count included two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri awards. Former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas and journalist K. Narayanan received the Padma Vibhushan. Constitutional leaders gathered to recognize those who "contributed to preserving and promoting Ao Naga folk traditions and indigenous cultural heritage."
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