Six prominent people from the northeast were conferred with the Padma awards 2015. While Multiple National Award-winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua was named for the Padma Bhushan award, environment activist Jadav Payeng from Assam, along with Lakshmi Nandan Bora, an established name in Assamese literature, Manipur's medicine expert Sarungbam Bimola Kumari Devi, Meghalaya-based musician Neil Herbert Nongkynrih, and social worker H. Thegtse Rinpoche from Arunachal Pradesh were chosen for Padma Shri.

The awards were presented by President Pranab Mukherjee at the majestic Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Awarded by the Government of India, Padma Bhushan is the third highest and Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian awards.

Jahnu Barua receiving Padma Bhushan award from President Pranab Mukherjee
Featured photo - Jahnu Barua receiving Padma Bhushan award from President Pranab Mukherjee

Jadav Payeng receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee
Jadav Payeng receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee

Sarungbam Bimola Kumari Devi receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee
Sarungbam Bimola Kumari Devi receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee

Neil Nongkynrih receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee
Neil Nongkynrih receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee

H Thegtse Rinpoche receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee
H Thegtse Rinpoche receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee

Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee
Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee

Photo courtesy: Facebook page of President of India