Methaneilie Jutakhrie, veteran singer from Nagaland, received this year’s O.N.E. (Our North East) India Award
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DIMAPUR —The O.N.E. (Our North East) India Award 2026 was successfully conferred to Methaneilie Jutakhrie, a renowned veteran singer from Nagaland, popularly known as the ‘Kishore Kumar of the Northeast’, at a grand ceremony held at the Kohima Village Council Hall on Friday.
An update from My Home India issued on Friday informed that the prestigious award was presented by My Home India, an organisation committed to fostering national unity, fraternity, and integration.
Jutakhrie was honoured for his lifelong contribution to society through music.
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‘His powerful songs, written and sung against corruption, social evils, and substance abuse, have deeply influenced Naga society. Through his art, he has consistently promoted Bharatiyata, national pride, and positive social change, making him a respected cultural icon in the Northeast,’ the update informed.
Sunil Deodhar, Founder of My Home India and conceptualiser of the award in the update said: ‘My Home India has been working with deep commitment towards national integration, especially for the people of the North East. The present government led by Narendra Modi has brought a tremendous turnaround in the North East in terms of development, visibility, and governance taking the region to the central stage of decision-making in Delhi.’
While citing that Methaneilie Jutakhrie play a crucial role in strengthening this emotional and cultural integration, he further added: ‘Methaneilie Jutakhrie has not only served music as an art form but has used it as a powerful tool for promoting Bharatitva and driving meaningful social change within Naga society.’
The program was said to have been graced by Temjen Imna Along, Minister for Tourism & Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, as the chief guest.
Imna Along stated that ‘My Home India’ has been serving the people of Northeast consistently for the last 20 years while citing that the day’s event reflects the growing importance of the Northeast in the national narrative. ‘When people from Delhi and Mumbai come to Kohima to felicitate our achievers, it shows how the region is being rightfully recognized,’ he shared.
Dr. Kekhriehulie Yhome, Advisor for School Education & SCERT, who attended the event as the guest of honour remarked that ‘culture, music, and education are powerful instruments of social transformation. Honouring artistes like Jutakhrie reinforces the idea that creative expression can inspire values, unity, and responsible citizenship, especially among the younger generation.’
Dedicating the award to the people of Nagaland and the Northeast, and to the spirit of a united India, Jutakhrie expressed that music has always been his way of serving society and spreading positive values.