When Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte stepped forward to receive the country’s highest civilian honour for children from President Droupadi Murmu on December 26, few in the audience would have imagined the difficult start to life she once had. The nine-year-old, who was conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025, has today become one of the most recognisable young voices in the country.
Born on June 9, 2016, in Lunglei district of Mizoram, Esther is the daughter of taxi driver Lalrinenga Hnamte and R. Lalawmpui, a retired church soprano. Her parents say she faced health complications soon after birth, a phase that caused concern within the family. Years later, that child would go on to connect millions of Indians through music.
Esther was among 16 children from across the country honoured this year under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in categories including art and culture, bravery, social service, environment, sports, and science and technology. Congratulating the awardees, President Murmu said their achievements have brought pride to the nation and expressed hope that their stories would inspire children across India.
The youngest of three siblings, Esther began singing at the age of two during church services and local events in and around Lunglei. What stood out early on was her ability to accurately sing Hindi and English songs, even though Mizo was the only language spoken at home. Recognising her talent, her mother, who has a background in music, began guiding her training.
Her breakthrough came during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, when public gatherings came to a halt and the family started sharing videos online. One such video — her rendition of AR Rahman’s “Maa Tujhe Salaam” — struck a chord nationwide and quickly went viral.
By the time she was four, Esther had already drawn attention from national leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah publicly praised her performances for promoting national unity, while former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga also shared her videos.
Her growing popularity is reflected in numbers as well. By 2025, Esther’s YouTube channel crossed one million subscribers, making her the first Mizo artist to achieve the milestone. Her rendition of “Jana Gana Mana” in collaboration with the Assam Rifles has garnered over 56 million views. Beyond the figures, her music has helped bring voices from the Northeast into the national spotlight.
Recognition followed steadily. In 2020, she received a special honour from Mizoram Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. She was named a Young Achiever by Dalmia Cement in 2021 and featured as the “Amul Girl” the same year. The Mizo Zaimi Inzawmkhawm, the state’s singers’ association, also felicitated her. In 2025, YouTube presented her with both Silver and Gold Play Buttons. She has performed for the Prime Minister and was gifted a guitar by Home Minister Amit Shah.
A documentary on her life, A Star is Born, won a silver award at the Northeast Film Festival in 2023. For many in the region, Esther’s journey has become a symbol of possibility, encouraging young talents from the Northeast to believe that their voices can reach far beyond geographical boundaries.
At just nine, Esther Hnamte has already achieved milestones many artists can only dream of. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is another significant chapter in a journey that is still unfolding.