Rajyotsav 2026: Chhattisgarh Announces State Honours in 36 Categories

Tourism and Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal (centre) displays the list of State Honour recipients alongside Culture Department Secretary Dr S. Bharathidasan (left) and Director of Culture Dr Sanjay Kannauje (right), at the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Photo:primelookindia.com via CG/DPR

Tourism and Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal names recipients across journalism, literature, arts, social service, sports, agriculture and other fields

Key Highlights

• Individuals and institutions selected for their contribution to Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage, social progress and development.
• Journalism honours announced for Pramod Kumar Sahu, Varun Sakhaji, Rasika Pandey and Shishir Roy Chowdhury.
• Senior journalist and author Anant Vijay selected for the Pandit Madhavrao Sapre National Creativity Honour.
• Awards also recognise achievements in tribal welfare, women’s empowerment, cinema, law and rural tourism.

Raipur: Chhattisgarh will honour individuals and institutions across 36 categories with its prestigious State Honours at Rajyotsav 2026, recognising outstanding contributions to art, culture, literature, journalism, sports, social service, education, agriculture and other fields.

Tourism and Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal announced the selections at a press conference held at the auditorium of the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur on Sunday, November 1, on the occasion of the State Foundation Day.

Agrawal described the honours as an expression of appreciation and gratitude towards those whose achievements and service have contributed to society and the state’s development. He emphasised their role in preserving Chhattisgarh’s artistic traditions, literature, folk heritage and social values.

“The State Honours recognise the talent of Chhattisgarh, its distinctive achievements and the invaluable contribution of individuals and institutions to society and the development of the state,” Agrawal said.

He added that recognising dedicated work across different fields would encourage younger generations to develop their abilities and contribute positively to society.

Tourism and Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal (centre), flanked by Culture Department Secretary Dr S. Bharathidasan (left) and Director of Culture Dr Sanjay Kannauje (right), announces the State Honours in 36 categories for Rajyotsav 2026 during a press conference at the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Photo: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR

Journalism and Creative Writing Honours

The announcement includes awards recognising contributions to Hindi and English journalism, electronic media and creative writing.

Pramod Kumar Sahu of Raipur will receive the Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Journalism Award for Hindi print media.

The Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Journalism Award for Hindi electronic media will be presented jointly to Varun Sakhaji and Rasika Pandey of Raipur.

For English print journalism, Shishir Roy Chowdhury of Raipur has been selected for the Madhukar Kher Memorial Journalism Award.

Senior journalist and author Anant Vijay of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, will receive the Pandit Madhavrao Sapre National Creativity Honour for his contribution to creative writing and the Hindi language.

Recognition for Tribal Welfare, Social Service and Cooperation

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial Honour, recognising work in tribal social awareness and upliftment, will be conferred on Duman Lal Dhruv of Dhamtari district.

The Yati Yatanlal Honour for non-violence and cow protection will go to Vishwa Geeta Dhenu Govind Pakshi Seva Dham, Kumhari, Durg district.

Lok Aastha Seva Sansthan, Gariaband, represented by Lata Netam, will receive the Minimata Honour for women’s upliftment and public awareness.

The Guru Ghasidas Social Awareness and Scheduled Caste Upliftment Honour will be presented to Sukhchand Bhaskar of Kabirdham district.

In cooperation, the Thakur Pyarelal Singh Award will go to Dhansingh Baghel of Prathamik Kuduk Machhua Sahakari Samiti Maryadit, Chitrakot, Bastar district.

Babulal Agrawal of Raigarh district has been selected for the Maharaja Agrasen Honour for promoting social harmony.

The Pandit Ravishankar Shukla Honour, recognising social, educational and economic achievements, will be awarded to Tejaswini Seva Pratishthan, Nehru Nagar, Bilaspur.

Literature, Theatre and Folk Traditions

The selections recognise a wide range of contributions to Chhattisgarh’s literary and performing arts traditions, from contemporary theatre and classical music to folk songs, Panthi dance and regional poetry.

Dr Purushottam Chandrakar of Raipur will receive the Habib Tanvir Honour for contemporary theatre and drama in Chhattisgarhi, Hindi and other languages.

The Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Honour for Hindi literature will be conferred on Dr Biharilal Sahu of Raigarh.

Dr M. Sriram Murthy of Raipur has been selected for the Chakradhar Honour in classical music and dance, while Rekha Jalakshatri of Raipur will receive the Dau Mandaraji Honour for folk theatre and folk craft.

The Laxman Masturiya Honour for Chhattisgarhi folk songs will go to Sadhana Yadav of Durg district.

For Panthi dance, C.L. Ratre of Raipur district will receive the Devdas Banjare Memorial Panthi Dance Award.

Chandrabhushan Verma of Raipur has been selected for the Khuman Sao Honour for Chhattisgarhi folk music.

The Lala Jagdalpuri Literary Award, recognising regional literature and folk poetry, will be presented to Durga Prasad Parkar of Durg district.

Jagdish Prasad Deshmukh of Balod district will receive the Sant Ravidas Honour for his contribution to social equality, literature and poetry.

“Chhattisgarh’s identity is rooted in its rich cultural heritage, folk arts, literary traditions and talented citizens. These honours will inspire the younger generation to refine their talents and make a positive contribution to society,” the minister said.

Sports, Agriculture, Ayurveda and Fisheries

In sports, Sanju Devi of Korba district will receive the Gundadhur Honour, while Toman Kumar of Balod district has been selected for the Maharaja Praveerchandra Bhanjdev Honour.

The Dr Khubchand Baghel Krishak Ratna Award for outstanding contribution to agriculture will be presented to Punni Das Bhatt of Kabirdham district.

Dr Dinesh Kumar Nag of Dhamtari district will receive the Dhanvantari Honour for his contribution to Ayurvedic medical education and research.

The Bilasabai Kenwat Fisheries Development Award will go to Pradeep Kumar Soni of Balod district for his work in fisheries.

Sanskrit, Tribal Service, Labour and Crime Investigation

The Rajeshri Mahant Vaishnavdas Ji Maharaj Sanskrit Language Honour will be conferred on Dr Bahuran Singh Patel of Raipur district.

For service to tribal communities and their economic upliftment, the Dr Bhanwarsingh Porte Tribal Service Honour will be presented to Shri Satya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Nava Raipur, represented by C. Srinivas.

Antaryami Samal of UltraTech Cement Limited’s Kukurdih unit in Balodabazar district will receive the Late Ramanuj Pratap Singhdeo Memorial Shram Yashasvi Award for his contribution in the labour sector.

The Pandit Lakhanlal Mishra Honour for crime investigation will be awarded to Deputy Superintendent of Police Suresh Kumar Dhruv of Raipur.

Cinema, Pandavani and Overseas Contributions

Deepali Saraogi of Dantewada district has been selected for the Chhattisgarh Non-Resident Indian Honour, which recognises contributions by overseas Indians in areas including social welfare, literature, human resource development and economic activity.

The Kishore Sahu Honour, covering creative writing, direction, acting, screenplay and production in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi cinema, will be conferred on Syed Tahir Ali, popularly known as Karan Khan, of Raipur.

Mohan Sundrani of Raipur will receive the Kishore Sahu National Honour for direction in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi cinema.

For Pandavani, Chetan Lal Dewangan of Durg district has been selected for the Dr Teejan Bai Honour.

Women’s Empowerment, Law and Rural Tourism

The Mata Bahadur Kalarin Honour, recognising efforts against the oppression of women and work for their upliftment, will be presented to Bulbul Baidya of Kanker district.

The Barrister Thakur Chhedilal Honour in law will be conferred on Kaustubh Shukla of Delhi and Hemant Kumar Mishra of Raipur.

Satyendra Kumar Upadhyay of Kabirdham district will receive the Chendru State Rural Tourism Award for promoting rural tourism.

Honouring Dedication and Inspiring Future Generations

Congratulating the selected recipients, Agrawal said their achievements reflected sustained dedication, hard work, talent and a sense of responsibility towards society.

He acknowledged the contribution of artists, writers, journalists, institutions and citizens who have helped preserve the state’s traditions while advancing work in their respective fields.

“These honours celebrate dedication, hard work, talent and responsibility towards society. The achievements of the selected individuals and institutions will encourage future generations to pursue excellence, remain connected with their culture and participate actively in Chhattisgarh’s development,” Agrawal said.

The minister described Rajyotsav as an important occasion to showcase the state’s cultural identity, history and development journey, adding that the State Honours ceremony would further enrich the celebrations.

Culture Department Secretary Dr S. Bharathidasan, Director of Culture Dr Sanjay Kannauje and other departmental officials attended the press conference.