Mizoram governor PS Sreedharan Pillai on Sunday felicitated veteran journalist Lalbiakthanga Pachuau, one of the two personalities from the state, for being conferred Padma Shree.
Raj Bhavan sources said on Sunday Pillai invited Pachuau for high tea and gave him a cash prize and citation as a token of appreciation for being awarded the prestigious honour.
Also read Padma Vibhushan for Mary Kom, Padma Bhushan for SC Jamir, Padma Shri for 13 others from Northeast
Speaking on the occasion, Pillai expressed happiness over the selection of two personalities from Mizoram for Padma Shree.
He lauded Pachuau for his outstanding contribution to society.
“We have a lot to learn from Lalbiakthanga Pachuau. His services are worth not only for Mizoram and the country but for democracy as a whole,” he said.
Pillai also said Pachuau’s achievement is a great pride for the people as well as scribes of Mizoram.
Pachuau said he was thankful for the almighty and the people of Mizoram for the honour.
“I am thankful to the governor for the honour which I never expected it. I also highly indebted to journalists, Association of Voluntary Blood Donation (AVBD), Mizoram and Mizoram Social Defence Council for their supports,” he added.
Born in 1927 at Siachal village, 80 km away from the state capital, Pachuau joined the Assam Regiment of the British Indian Army in 1945 and fought against the Japanese force for the British during World War-II and won many military medals.
He started his career in journalism with a relatively small paper Zoram Thupuan in 1953 and then started editing for his own local daily ‘Zoram Tlangau’ since 1970.
The 94-year-old soldier-turned-journalist was declared “oldest working journalist in the country” by Mizoram’s Information and Public Relation Department and Mizoram Journalist Association (MJA) in 2016.
Pachuau has held the post of MJA president for three terms.
Pachuau was one of the founder members of the Association for Voluntary Blood Donation (AVBD) and once became its president.
He was the founder president of Mizoram Social Defence Union during the 1990s and campaigned vigorously against alcohol and drugs.