Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte Awarded Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

Key facts

• Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte from Mizoram was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PM Bal Puraskar) by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.
• She was recognized for her exceptional talent as a singing prodigy, particularly for her emotional performances of patriotic anthems such as “Maa Tujhe Salaam” and “Vande Mataram”.
• Born on June 9, 2016, she began performing in local churches and gained widespread attention in October 2020 when a video of her singing “Vande Mataram” was shared by then-Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• She released a music video of the national anthem in August 2021, which was sponsored by the Assam Rifles and has since surpassed 47 million views.
• She performed at the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in December and presented Prime Minister Modi with a “Poorvi” doll representing the Northeast.
• She received the Young Achievers Award from Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited and became the face of an advertisement for the dairy cooperative Amul in 2021.
• A documentary titled ‘A Star is Born’, chronicling her journey, won the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the 2023 Northeast Film Festival.
• Her accomplishments have been celebrated as an inspiration for a developed Bharat (Viksit Bharat), emphasizing the theme of unity in diversity.