New Delhi, India – Professor Anil Kumar Boro, a celebrated Bodo poet, folklorist, and academician, was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award at a ceremonial event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The accolade, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, was presented by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of Prof. Boro’s tireless efforts to bring Bodo literature and folklore to global prominence.

A Lifelong Commitment to Literature

As the Head of the Department of Folklore Research at Gauhati University, Prof. Boro has authored over 30 influential books spanning poetry, literary criticism, novels, children’s literature, travelogues, and folklore studies. Landmark works such as Folk Literature of the Bodos: An Introduction, A History of Bodo Literature, The Flute and the Harp, and Delphini Onthai Mwdai Arw Guhun Crubun Khonthai have significantly shaped modern Bodo literary discourse.

His translated works have further bridged the gap between world literature and Bodo readers, introducing global narratives to local audiences. As an editor, Prof. Boro has curated literary anthologies and journals, including The Bodo Quarterly and Thunslai, an online journal for translation.

Early Life and Academic Career

Born on 9 December 1961 in Kahitama, near Manas National Park in Assam, Prof. Boro pursued his Master’s degree in English at Gauhati University and later earned a Ph.D. in Folklore Research. Starting his academic journey as an English Lecturer at Dimoria College in 1988, he joined Gauhati University’s Folklore Research Department in 2000, where he has remained an integral figure.

Prof. Boro resides in Guwahati with his wife, Anjali Boro, and their two daughters, Mridusmita Boro and Kaveri Boro.

Advocacy and Cultural Impact

Beyond his literary pursuits, Prof. Boro has championed mother-tongue education and played a key role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Bodoland. A committed member of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, he has been instrumental in organising the Kokrajhar Literary Festival since its inception in 2021.

Prof. Boro’s contributions extend to representing Bodo literature and folklore on global platforms, participating in international conferences and events in Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Denmark, and China.

Awards and Honours

For his outstanding contributions to literature, Prof. Boro has received numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award (2012), the Rangsar Literary Award, and the Sahitya Sadhana Botha (2024). The Padma Shri adds another feather to his illustrious cap.

Preserving Bodo Language and Heritage

The Bodo language, recognised under Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution, serves as an Associate Official Language of Assam and is a medium of instruction up to Class XII. Prof. Boro’s work has played an essential role in preserving and promoting this rich linguistic and cultural heritage.

About the Padma Awards

The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, are divided into three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognise exceptional achievements across disciplines such as art, literature, public service, science, and sports.

For 2025, President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of 139 Padma Awards, including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. The list includes 23 women awardees, 10 individuals from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 13 posthumous honours.

Prof. Anil Kumar Boro’s Padma Shri is a celebration of his enduring contributions to the field of Bodo literature and his role in elevating Assam’s cultural legacy on the world stage.