L Hangthing, a 58-year-old fruit farmer from Noklak district, Nagaland, has been awarded the Padma Shri. He is one of the 139 personalities announced by the Centre for the 2025 Padma Awards, recognizing their distinguished service across various fields. The list includes 113 Padma Shri awardees, 19 Padma Bhushan awardees, and 7 Padma Vibhushan recipients. Additionally, 23 of the awardees are women, and the list also features 10 individuals from the categories of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, along with 13 posthumous awardees.
Padma Shri L Hangthing has over 30 years of experience in cultivating non-native fruits and has been recognized for his contribution to agriculture. The government emphasized that he not only introduced non-native fruit and vegetable saplings to his region but also shared his knowledge with over 200 farmers across 40 villages in Nagaland.
His passion for fruits began in childhood when he collected discarded fruit seeds from vendors and experimented with them on his family’s farmland. Hangthing’s innovative farming techniques, including the cultivation of fruits like litchi and oranges in a region where they were previously unknown, have been adopted by over 400 households. His efforts have significantly improved the incomes of farmers in the region.
The Padma Awards are one of India’s highest civilian honors, conferred annually to recognize exceptional contributions in various disciplines. The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional service), Padma Bhushan (for distinguished service of a higher order), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service). The awards are announced on the recommendations of the Padma Awards Committee, appointed by the Prime Minister each year.
