NEW DELHI : Nine-year-old Esther Hnamte from Mizoram has been conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 in the Art and Culture category, India’s highest civilian honour for children. She received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held in the national capital on December 26.

Hnamte shot to national prominence at the age of four after her stirring renditions of A R Rahman’s Maa Tujhe Salaam and the national anthem went viral on social media. Her performances drew widespread appreciation, including praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for promoting national unity through music.

She was among 16 children from across the country recognised this year for exceptional achievements in fields such as bravery, social service, environment, sports, art and culture, and science and technology.

Congratulating the awardees, President Murmu said the children had brought pride to their families, communities and the nation, and expressed hope that their achievements would inspire young people across the country.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar honours individuals under the age of 18 for extraordinary accomplishments.

Hnamte’s latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours. She received a special appreciation award from the Governor of Mizoram in 2020 and the Young Achievers Award from Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited in 2021. In the same year, the Mizo Zaimi Inzawmkhawm, the state’s singers’ society, presented her with a “non-native award” for a Jana Gana Mana music video produced in collaboration with the Indian Army.