Emotional scenes unfolded as Professor Mahendra Nath Roy, recipient of the Padma Shri for 2026, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration for valuing understated societal service. The Kolkata-based chemistry expert and former university leader called it the pinnacle of his life’s work.
Speaking post-announcement, the farmer’s son said, ‘Pure bliss receiving this. Thanks to my parents and teachers. I toiled silently, never expecting such recognition. The government’s nod to my efforts is life’s ultimate gift.’
Roy’s credentials boast roles as ex-Dean at North Bengal University and inaugural Vice-Chancellor of Alipurduar University. His path was riddled with economic struggles, social prejudices, and private challenges, yet the sight of happy faces propelled him forward.
On the awards honoring 45 obscure heroes, he enthused, ‘Beyond me, it’s for all those laboring anonymously for society. This initiative unveils true protagonists.’
West Bengal’s 11 awardees include posthumous artist Hari Madhav Mukhopadhyay, actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, and educationist Gambhir Singh Yonzon. Prof Roy’s praise amplifies the awards’ impact, reinforcing how national honors can motivate grassroots warriors. As India celebrates these figures, Roy’s journey reminds us that real change often happens off the public radar, now rightfully illuminated.