Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated eleven Padma Shri recipients from West Bengal on Republic Day 2026. He highlighted the state’s lasting contribution to India’s cultural and intellectual life.
He shared a bilingual message in English and Bengali, underlining regional pride and national unity.
Shah described the awardees as symbols of Bengal’s excellence in arts, literature, education, social service, and medicine.
He said the honours reflected India’s respect for talent rooted in tradition and public service.
Among the prominent honourees, veteran actor Prosenjit Chatterjee received recognition for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Renowned sitarist Kumar Bose earned the Padma Shri for his role in preserving and promoting classical music. Their inclusion showcased Bengal’s strong influence in the performing arts.
The list honoured tribal leader Rabilal Tudu for his contributions to social service and tribal welfare.
Shah highlighted Tudu’s efforts as an example of grassroots leadership and inclusive development.
Cultural Recognition & Outreach
Other awardees represented diverse disciplines, reinforcing the breadth of Bengal’s achievements.
The Home Minister linked the honours to the government’s ‘People’s Padma’ initiative. He noted that the selection process relied heavily on public nominations, ensuring wider participation and transparency.
Shah said the approach allowed unsung contributors to gain national recognition.
Shah addressed Bengali audiences directly and presented the awards as a shared national celebration, not a regional gesture.
Political observers viewed the bilingual outreach as part of the BJP’s broader engagement strategy in West Bengal. The state remains marked by intense political competition.
Shah emphasised cultural unity and national pride without delivering overt political messaging. He said Bengal’s intellectual and artistic heritage strengthened India’s identity on the global stage.
He added that the Padma awards honoured service beyond politics, ideology, or geography.
The Republic Day announcement, Shah said, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to recognising merit from every corner of the country.
HM Amit Shah concluded that the Padma Shri honours for West Bengal reflected India’s respect for diversity, contribution, and collective progress.
পদ্ম সম্মান পশ্চিমবঙ্গের জন্য এক গর্বের মুহূর্ত। শিল্প, সংস্কৃতি, জ্ঞান ও সমাজসেবার পীঠস্থান হিসেবে পশ্চিমবঙ্গের ঐতিহ্যকে আরও একবার স্বীকৃতি দিল এই সম্মান।
শিল্পকলায় পদ্মশ্রী সম্মানে ভূষিত হয়েছেন শ্রী প্রসেনজিৎ চট্টোপাধ্যায়, শ্রী কুমার বসু, শ্রী তরুণ ভট্টাচার্য্য, শ্রীমতী…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 26, 2026
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