KOHIMA, May 11: Sano Vamuzo, Social Worker and Educationist from Nagaland, was presented the Padma Shri Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, during the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on May 9, 2024. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar; Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Union Home Minister Amit Shah; and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were among the dignitaries present during the award ceremony.
Sano Vamuzo was conferred the award for her exceptional and distinguished service in the field of social work, and for spearheading peace campaigns and championing women’s representation.
Sano was born on March 27, 1940, to Dr. Sevilie Iralu and Vituno Iralu. She taught in various schools and also started a school at Chozuba – Mission English School (now Eastern Christian School, Chozuba) and served as the school’s first headmistress, from 1967 to 1971. She, along with a few concerned mothers, founded the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) in 1983 to fight social evils and uplift the status of women, with the motto ‘Human Integrity.’ She served as its first president for 7 years, from 1984-1991 and again from 1994-1995. She is currently an advisor to the NMA.
Sano served as the first Chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women, for two terms, 2007–2010 and 2010–2013. She was awarded the Navjyoti Award from the Delhi Police Foundation for her outstanding contribution to social services for the youth. She was also actively engaged and involved with her husband, former Chief Minister, Late Vamuzo, throughout his political career, which spanned over three decades.
Sano Vamuzo, through a statement released by her family, expressed her deep concerns for the unresolved political conflicts and social issues that continue to plague the Naga society and its serious effects on successive generations. However, she expressed hope that through God’s wisdom and the initiatives of leaders at all levels and spheres, all these issues can be resolved.
The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours in India, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of a high order), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service). The awards are given for distinguished achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines. For 2024, the President conferred 132 Padma Awards, including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one), comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women.