Siliguri, 27th January: A retired teacher from Siliguri, Nagendra Nath Roy, will receive the Padma Shri award for translating the Ramayana into the Rajbanshi language.
Reportedly, Roy is a resident of the Chaitanyapur area of Shiv Mandir and a former teacher at the Patharghata Bhuban Jote Primary School. He has worked on translating the epic Ramayana into Rajbanshi. Although the seven-volume translation has not yet been published, Roy had planned to release it on the upcoming Bengali New Year (Poila Boishakh). However, before the release, he will be honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award.
Roy had previously received the Shiksharatna Award in 2011 for his contributions to education. On Saturday evening, he received a call from the MLAs of Matigara and Naxalbari, informing him of his Padma Shri honor. The MLA later visited his home to offer congratulations. The Prime Minister’s office also called to extend their best wishes.
As the news of his Padma Shri award spread, people from various walks of life visited Roy’s residence to congratulate him.