From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, Jan 25: Prof Badaplin War, an eminent educationist and expert on Khasi language, was on Tuesday nominated for the prestigious Padma Shri award by President Ramnath Kovind.
Prof War is a linguist in the Department of Khasi, North-Eastern Hill University and holds a doctorate degree from University of London. She joined the University in 1983 and rose to become a professor in 2001.
Talking to The Shillong Times on Tuesday from her residence, Prof War said she was overwhelmed when she got the intimation from the Government of India on Tuesday morning. “I am elated since the famed award was announced at a time when the state is celebrating its golden jubilee,” she said.
“This award will go a long way in promoting the Khasi Language of which I am an expert,” she said.
She has authored a number of books and submitted numerous research papers on Khasi language.
Prof Was is a specialist on Khasi Morphology, Phonology, Socio-linguistics, literature in translation, Khasi literature and Khasi culture. She is also an expert on other tribal languages of the Northeast.
Prof War is also associated with several educational institutions and organisations.
Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, like social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service. The awards are announced on Republic Day every year and conferred later in a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhawan at a later date.
This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards including four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri awards.
In total, 34 of the awardees are women and the list also includes ten recipients from the category of foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 posthumous awardees.
