Munish Sood
Mandi
Four distinguished personalities — Dr. Prem Lal Gautam, Dr. O.P. Sharma, Sneh Lata and Dr. Brij Sharma — will be conferred with the Himachal Gaurav Award at the state-level Himachal Day celebrations to be held in Reckong Peo, district Kinnaur, on April 15, 2026. Notably, three of the awardees — Dr. Gautam, Dr. Sharma (O.P.), and Sneh Lata — have also been honoured at the national level, including recognition with the Padma Shri for their outstanding contributions.
Dr. Prem Lal Gautam: Advancing Agricultural Research
A renowned agricultural scientist from Bilaspur, Dr. Prem Lal Gautam has been honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026 for his exceptional contribution to agricultural research, biodiversity conservation, and the development of improved crop varieties such as wheat, soybean, and millet. His work has significantly benefited farmers and strengthened sustainable agriculture practices.
Dr. O.P. Sharma: Literary Contribution to Himachal’s Cultural Heritage
Senior litterateur Dr. O.P. Sharma, a resident of Hamirpur district, has authored 12 books. His notable work “Dev Bhoomi Himachal”, based on extensive research on temples in the state, has earned wide appreciation. A retired official from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, he has made a lasting contribution to literature and cultural documentation.
Sneh Lata: Transforming Grassroots Sports
Hailing from Mor Singhi in Bilaspur district, handball coach Sneh Lata has been recognised for her remarkable contribution to sports development at the grassroots level. She established a handball nursery by converting a rocky patch of land into a functional training ground and has provided free coaching to over 250 children. More than 80 of her trainees have gone on to represent India in handball, marking a significant achievement for the region.
Dr. Brij Sharma: Pioneering Healthcare Innovation in Himachal
Dr. Brij Sharma, Principal of Atal Super Speciality Institute of Medical Sciences Chamiyana and a native of Ghumarwin in Bilaspur, is being honoured for his contributions to the healthcare sector. He played a key role in introducing Himachal Pradesh’s first robotic surgery service at the institute. Earlier, he was recognised as the Best DM Resident by the Prime Minister in 2009 during his tenure at AIIMS Delhi for excellence in patient care. His research in Spiti Valley also highlighted a high prevalence of Hepatitis B and C, contributing to improved screening and awareness in the region.
