Renowned spiritual leader and social worker of Tripura Chitta Maharaj of Santikali Ashram (Shri Chitta Ranjan Debbarma)  and Smriti Rekha Chakma from the State are among the recipients of Padma Shri award for the year 2024.

Chitta Ranjan Debbarma, who is popularly known as Chitta Maharaj was conferred upon the Padma Shri award in the category of Others-spiritualism.

Smriti Rekha Chakma from Tripura was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to the art, who transforms eco-friendly vegetables dyed cotton threads into traditional designs, promoting the use of natural dyes and established ‘Ujeia Jadha’, a socio- cultural organization to impart training to rural women in the art of weaving.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha through his social media said “It’s a proud moment for Tripura! My heartfelt congratulations to Chitta Maharaj of Santikali Ashram (Shri Chitta Ranjan Debbarma) for being awarded the prestigious ‘Padma Shri’ in the category of Others-Spiritualism.

He said that ‘Chitta Maharaj has been transforming the lives of many people, specially the Janajati section, through spiritualism and expansion of education. I convey my sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for honouring Maharaj with this award.’

In another post, Dr Saha said that ‘Warm wishes to Smriti Rekha Chakma from Tripura for being awarded with Padma Shri Award 2024. Her contribution to the art through eco-friendly vegetables dyed cotton threads into traditional designs & promoting the use of natural dyes is remarkable. She is also empowering rural women through her organisation ‘Ujeia Jadha’.

Smriti Chakma travels into forests to procure roots, seeds, herbs or leaves for the dye, before it gets into the whole process of drying, crushing and getting the colour.

She spent her childhood watching her grandmother weave on the loin loom (one of the oldest weaving machine) using traditional Naga methods, and now imparts training to the younger generation.