Padma Shri 2026: National recognition for the literary pursuits of former railway guard Ashok Kumar Haldar.

Love for the pen never gets stuck in the rut of profession. While handling the responsibility of train security in his working life, Ashok Kumar Haldar, a resident of Maldher, has established himself in the world of words in his retirement. In recognition of his long-term literary pursuits, he received the country’s most prestigious non-military award, Padma Shri.

Literary practice continues along with railway job

66 year old Ashok Kumar Haldar, resident of Vidhanpalli of English Bazar, was working as a guard of Indian Railways. Despite being busy with his job, he regularly took out time to write stories, poems and various social-based essays. After retiring six years ago, literature became the main pursuit of his life.

His thoughts emerged in 13 books.

In his long literary life, Ashok Kumar Haldar has already written 13 books. His first published book ‘Search Out Truth in the Light of Knowledge’ is appreciated by the readers. Also, the book ‘The Radical Change of Human Society and with Its Scientific Observation’ is especially appreciated for its social and science based thinking.

Receiving Padma Shri from the President

Ashok Kumar Haldar received the Padma Shri award from the hands of President Dr. Murmur at the ‘Civil Investiture Ceremony-II’ held in Delhi. Before getting on the stage, he saluted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with 131 prominent personalities of the country, 11 people from West Bengal were honored with the Padma Award for the year 2026, one of them being Ashok Kumar Haldar.

What did Ashok Kumar Haldar say after receiving the honour?

Emotionally reacting after receiving the national honour, he said, “Writing while doing work was my passion. I never thought, that passion will bring me this honor one day. This recognition will inspire me to do better work.”

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Kingkar Haldar, son of Ashok Kumar Haldar, said that since childhood, he has seen his father writing regularly. In his words, this honor is not only his family’s, but the pride of the entire Maldah district. This success has created a feeling of joy among the literature lovers of the district.

He spent a long working life as an Indian Railways guard. But even in the midst of busy work, I don’t stop writing. After retirement, that literary pursuit brought him the country’s highest non-military honor, Padma Shri. Literary Ashok Kumar Haldar has made India proud by being honored with the Padma Award for the year 2026.