Young Mizoram Prodigy Esther Hnamte Honored with India's Highest Child Award for Patriotic Renditions

New Delhi, December 26, 2025 – In a ceremony that celebrated the nation's budding talents, nine-year-old Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte from Mizoram was conferred the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 in the Art & Culture category by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan here today. The award, India's highest civilian honor for children under 18, recognizes Esther's extraordinary contributions to music through her soul-stirring patriotic performances that have captivated millions across the country.

Born on June 9, 2016, in Lunglei town in southern Mizoram, Esther—affectionately known as Esther Hnamte—discovered her vocal gift at the tender age of three, enchanting audiences at local church events and community gatherings. Her journey to stardom truly ignited in October 2020, at just four years old, when a heartfelt rendition of A.R. Rahman's "Vande Mataram" went viral after being shared by then-Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The video's raw emotion and innocence struck a chord, propelling her into the national spotlight and earning her the moniker of a "patriotic singing sensation."

Esther's repertoire of national anthems and tributes has since amassed tens of millions of views. Notable among them is her collaboration with the Indian Army's Assam Rifles in August 2021, where she released a music video of "Jana Gana Mana" featuring personnel from the force. Sponsored by the Assam Rifles, the video garnered over 3 million views in its first week and has now surpassed 47 million. She has also delivered mesmerizing performances of "Maa Tujhe Salaam," blending melody with unwavering national pride, further cementing her status as a viral phenomenon.

Her accolades extend beyond viral fame. In December 2023, Esther performed "Vande Mataram" at the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav inauguration in the presence of Prime Minister Modi, whom she gifted a special Northeast mascot doll named "Poorvi." She has been felicitated with the Young Achievers Award by Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited, featured as the Amul Girl in a 2021 advertisement, and starred in the award-winning documentary *A Star is Born*, which clinched a Silver Award for Best Documentary at the Northeast Film Festival in 2023. Today, she joins 19 other young achievers from across India in receiving the Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, highlighting her role in promoting cultural harmony through art.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony was a moment of profound joy for Esther's family, who hail from a humble background. Her mother, R. Lalawmpuii, expressed overwhelming gratitude, stating, "We thank God and everyone who has supported our daughter's journey. This honor is both historic and surprising for our family." Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh echoed the sentiment, hailing Esther as "a source of pride for the state and the nation." He added, "Her patriotic songs have touched millions and made her a shining inspiration for cultural harmony and national pride."