Agartala, Jan 25, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Jan 25: Two eminent Janajati personalities including a spiritual leader from Tripura have been named for prestigious ‘Padma Shri’, one of the highest civilian awards of the country.
Chitta Maharaj of Santikali Ashram (Chitta Ranjan Debbarma) has been awarded ‘Padma Shri’ in the category of Others-Spiritualism and Smriti Rekha Chakma has been awarded in the category of Art (Textile-Weaving-Loinloom).
Chitta Maharaj has been transforming the lives of many, specially Janajati people, through spiritualism and expansion of education. 
The other recipient- Smriti Rekha Chakma, a Chakma LoinloomShwal Weaver, transforms eco-friendly vegetable dyed cotton threads into traditional designs, promoting the use of natural dyes.
She also runs a socio-cultural organization to impart training to rural women in the art of weaving and empower them.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha in a social media post congratulated both the recipients.