Sagar/ New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) Renowned Hindi literary figure and educator Kailash Chandra Pant (89) from Sagar in Madhya Pradesh has been selected for the prestigious Padma Shri, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor, for the year 2026.

The nearly 89-year-old Pant is being recognized for his remarkable contributions to Hindi literature. He is regarded as one of the principal Hindi authors, journalists, and advocates for the Hindi language within the state.

Pant, who was previously honored with the Nehru Literacy Award by former President APJ Abdul Kalam for his impact in the education sector, was born in Mhow, located in the Indore district, in 1936. His family originates from Khantoli village in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. His mother, Haripriya Pant, and father, the late Leeladhar Pant, were instrumental in shaping his early life.

Expressing his sentiments about receiving this significant award, Pant stated to IANS, “It is a matter of immense pride not just for me but for everyone involved in the domain of Hindi literature and education. My literary contributions primarily consist of critical essays, along with some independent works.”

Pant acknowledged the influence of his teachers and professors throughout his educational journey, stating that he feels fortunate to have connections with intellectual and cultural families. He expressed his gratitude towards the Government of India, revealing that his family and friends are thrilled about this recognition.

Kailash Pant possesses an MA in Sahityacharya (Master of Arts in Literature). His journey is both captivating and motivating, as he left a stable government position to fully devote himself to the promotion of the Hindi language.

After resigning from his official job, Pant embraced the path of independent journalism. In 1963-64, he founded the monthly magazine 'Shiksha Pradeep' and later initiated 'Jandharma' from 1977 to 1998. He published the weekly 'Jandharma' for an impressive span of 22 years.

In 2000-01, he launched the literary magazine 'Duragami Outlook' from Indore, followed by the bi-monthly 'Akshara' from Bhopal in 2003, which continues its publication today. Beyond promoting Hindi among the masses, he has made notable contributions to education.

The Government of India unveiled the Padma Awards list a day prior to Republic Day 2026. The roster includes four individuals from Madhya Pradesh who will be honored with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards.

Among them are Bhagwan Das Raikwar (Sports), Kailash Chandra Pant (Literature and Education), Shri Mohan Nagar (Social Work), and Narayan Vyas (Archaeology).

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, shared his heartfelt congratulations via social media, stating, “Through your exceptional contributions across various fields, you have brought honor to Madhya Pradesh and inspired future generations in serving the nation.”