Aizawl: Serchhip Deputy Commissioner Paul L Khuma has been selected for the inaugural NAMASTE Awards 2026 in the Public Service & Governance category, becoming the first recipient from Mizoram to receive the recognition under the newly instituted regional awards.
Instituted by the Amazing Namaste Foundation, the NAMASTE Awards are being launched in 2026 to recognise individuals and organisations making significant contributions to the development of Northeast India. The initiative seeks to celebrate unconventional and impactful achievements in governance, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation and cultural preservation, while bringing successful development initiatives from the region to national attention.
The inaugural edition will recognise five individuals and organisations from the eight Northeastern states across five categories.
The recipients include Dr Jogesh Deuri from Assam, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Paul L Khuma, MCS, from Mizoram in the Public Service & Governance category; Dimum Pertin from Arunachal Pradesh for Start-up & Entrepreneurship; Kikruma Village Council from Nagaland for Sustainability & Environment Management; and Yumnam Bhumeshwor Singh from Manipur for Preservation of Culture.
According to the selection process, nominations were invited from all eight Northeastern states, with nominees submitted to an independent panel. From among numerous nominations, six candidates were shortlisted for detailed evaluation, following which Khuma was selected for the honour.
The selection panel was chaired by Sujoy Lal Thaosen, IPS (Retd), former Director General of the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force. Other members included former National Commission for Women member Delina Khongdup Raimaw, Arunachal Pradesh State Public Service Commission member Rosy Taba Gongo, marketing consultant Tara Doddihal and former NSS North East Regional Coordinator Sunil Kumar Basumatary.
The inaugural award ceremony is scheduled to be held on November 14, 2026, at the National Stock Exchange Atrium in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma is expected to attend as the chief guest.
The foundation describes the awards as an annual initiative intended not only to recognise outstanding contributions but also to document innovative approaches, encourage knowledge-sharing and highlight development models that could be replicated across the region.
The five award categories cover public service and governance, entrepreneurship and start-ups, sustainability and environmental conservation, preservation of culture, and lifetime achievement.
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