Srinagar, Jan 25 (JKNS): In a moment of pride for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, three distinguished personalities Shafi Shauq, Brij Lal Bhat and Dr Padma Gurmet have been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award 2026 by the Government of India for their exceptional contributions in the fields of Literature & Education, Social Work and Medicine respectively.
As per news agency JKNS, renowned Kashmiri author, scholar, educationist Shafi Shauq has been honoured with the Padma Shri in the category of Literature & Education. A towering figure in Kashmiri literature, Shauq has authored, edited and translated over 100 works spanning philosophy, poetry, literary criticism and screenplays, significantly enriching and globalising Kashmiri writing.
Born in 1950, Professor Shafi Shauq served the University of Kashmir for over three decades and retired in 2010 as Dean, Faculty of Arts.
His rich literary oeuvre includes notable works such as “Kashri Adbuk Tawareekh”, “Zaban Te Adab”, the Kashmiri translation of Leo Tolstoy’s novel “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” titled “Marun Ivan Ilyichun”, “Yaad Aasmanan Hinz”, “Kashriyuk Grammar”, Kashmiri Dictionary, besides several other significant contributions to Kashmiri language and literature.
He has earlier received the Sahitya Akademi Award (2006) and Sahitya Akademi Translation Award (2007).
The Padma Shri for Social Work has been awarded to Brij Lal Bhat of Jammu & Kashmir, an eminent grassroots social worker known for his sustained efforts towards community welfare and faith-preservation initiatives. His work has focused on engaging youth, strengthening social harmony and fostering community cohesion across Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Dr Padma Gurmet from Ladakh has been conferred the Padma Shri in the field of Medicine for her outstanding contribution to Sowa Rigpa, the traditional Himalayan system of medicine. A respected practitioner and scholar, she has authored seven books, catalogued over 1,500 medical manuscripts and documented more than 1,200 Sowa Rigpa formulations, playing a key role in preserving this ancient medical heritage.
The announcement of the Padma Shri Awards 2026 has drawn widespread appreciation across the region, with people hailing the recognition as a tribute to intellectual excellence, social service and cultural preservation.
The honours not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight the rich literary, social and traditional knowledge legacy of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. —(JKNS)
