By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Renowned Uttarakhand folk singer Narendra Singh Negi and noted actor Hemant Pandey were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their outstanding contributions to the state’s cultural and entertainment sectors at the Uttarakhand Foundation Day celebrations held at Parade Ground here on Friday.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the awards to the two artists.
Both recipients were presented with a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each and a citation.
Negi was selected for the award for 2024 in recognition of his immense contribution to preserving and promoting Uttarakhand’s folk culture through his songs. Over the decades, his music has captured the state’s traditions, social concerns and popular sentiments, making him one of the most celebrated voices of Uttarakhand.
Actor Hemant Pandey received the award for 2025 for his contribution to the Indian film and entertainment industry. Through his acting career, Pandey has earned recognition at the national level and brought laurels to Uttarakhand.
The state government is presenting Uttarakhand Film Awards to encourage regional cinema, promote the state’s rich folk culture and recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of art and entertainment.
Fifteen eminent personalities from diverse fields, including politics, public service, medicine, education, journalism, art, culture, environment and sports, were also honoured with the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman 2026.
Former Uttarakhand chief minister Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (retd) was honoured posthumously for his contribution to politics and public administration.
Among the other awardees, Dr Jeevan Singh Titiyal was recognised for his contribution to medicine, Manmohan Bhardwaj for entrepreneurship, Himani Shivpuri for her contribution to the film industry, Hema Negi Karasi for Lok Jagar singing, and Dr Girish Ranjan Tiwari for his contributions to education and journalism.
Anita Thapliyal Sharma and Kashmir Singh were honoured for their work in the social sector, while environmentalist Suresh Bhai received the award for his contribution to environmental conservation. Folk singer Reshma Shah was also among the recipients.
Five sportspersons who have brought laurels to Uttarakhand through their achievements at national and international levels were also honoured. They include cricketer Ekta Bisht, hockey player Vandana Katariya, long-distance runner Ankita Dhyani, boxer Nikita Chand and athlete Kapil Pokhriya.
The Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman Awards are presented to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to the state’s development and society across various fields. The initiative also aims to inspire the younger generation to participate actively in the development of the state and society.