Her Majesty Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, has been awarded the 22nd Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award 2025 for her outstanding humanitarian service, compassionate leadership, and lifelong efforts toward social welfare and inclusive development.
The award ceremony was organised at the Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Auditorium of Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, Assam.
The honour was presented by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who appreciated her dedication to human dignity, cultural preservation, and social justice.
About the ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award
The Upendra Nath Brahma Trust (UNBT) instituted the Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award in 2004 to honour individuals who embody the values of sacrifice, courage, human dignity, and service to humanity, inspired by ‘Bodofa’ Upendra Nath Brahma — a visionary leader of the Bodo community.
The award includes a citation, memento, traditional Bodo ceremonial items (Aronai, Dokhna, etc.), and a cash prize (e.g., ₹2 lakh) symbolising recognition of sustained humanitarian effort.
Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is the second foreign national to receive this prestigious honour, illustrating the award’s increasing international relevance.
About Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck
Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck was born on 10 June 1955 and is the Queen Mother of Bhutan as the first wife of former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
She is globally respected for her humanitarian vision, particularly as the Founding President of the Tarayana Foundation — an organisation focusing on holistic rural development, poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, education, health services, and cultural preservation across Bhutan’s remote regions.
Her initiatives reflect Bhutan’s development philosophy, including the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) — a model prioritising well-being over purely economic growth — which aligns with humanitarian and sustainable development goals. (General contextual fact)
India–Bhutan Relations & Cultural Ties
The award ceremony, hosted in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region, symbolizes deep and historic ties between India (especially the North East) and Bhutan, reflecting people-to-people bonds and shared cultural heritage.
It reinforces how cultural diplomacy and humanitarian recognition contribute to stronger regional cooperation and trust between neighbouring countries. (General international relations context)
About Upendra Nath Brahma
Upendra Nath Brahma (1956–1990) was a noted Bodo leader celebrated as ‘Bodofa’ (Father of the Bodos), whose life work emphasized social justice, equality, non-violence, and the upliftment of marginalised communities.
The award in his name perpetuates his philosophy and encourages humanitarian service across communities.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, has been awarded the 22nd Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award 2025 for her outstanding humanitarian service, compassionate leadership, and lifelong efforts toward social welfare and inclusive development.
The award ceremony was organised at the Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Auditorium of Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, Assam.
The honour was presented by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who appreciated her dedication to human dignity, cultural preservation, and social justice.
About the ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award
The Upendra Nath Brahma Trust (UNBT) instituted the Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award in 2004 to honour individuals who embody the values of sacrifice, courage, human dignity, and service to humanity, inspired by ‘Bodofa’ Upendra Nath Brahma — a visionary leader of the Bodo community.
The award includes a citation, memento, traditional Bodo ceremonial items (Aronai, Dokhna, etc.), and a cash prize (e.g., ₹2 lakh) symbolising recognition of sustained humanitarian effort.
Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is the second foreign national to receive this prestigious honour, illustrating the award’s increasing international relevance.
About Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck
Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck was born on 10 June 1955 and is the Queen Mother of Bhutan as the first wife of former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
She is globally respected for her humanitarian vision, particularly as the Founding President of the Tarayana Foundation — an organisation focusing on holistic rural development, poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, education, health services, and cultural preservation across Bhutan’s remote regions.
Her initiatives reflect Bhutan’s development philosophy, including the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) — a model prioritising well-being over purely economic growth — which aligns with humanitarian and sustainable development goals. (General contextual fact)
India–Bhutan Relations & Cultural Ties
The award ceremony, hosted in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region, symbolizes deep and historic ties between India (especially the North East) and Bhutan, reflecting people-to-people bonds and shared cultural heritage.
It reinforces how cultural diplomacy and humanitarian recognition contribute to stronger regional cooperation and trust between neighbouring countries. (General international relations context)
About Upendra Nath Brahma
Upendra Nath Brahma (1956–1990) was a noted Bodo leader celebrated as ‘Bodofa’ (Father of the Bodos), whose life work emphasized social justice, equality, non-violence, and the upliftment of marginalised communities.
The award in his name perpetuates his philosophy and encourages humanitarian service across communities.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
