(Nominations open for prestigious awards honouring community leadership, educational excellence, sustainability, and heritage preservation across the Darjeeling hills)
TTT NEWS NETWORK
KURSEONG | 22 SEPTEMBER 2026
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage site operating under Northeast Frontier Railway, has officially announced the call for nominations for the Spirit of the Hill Awards 2026. Organized as a flagship highlight of the upcoming Ghum Winter Festival 2026, the awards aim to recognize exceptional individuals, institutions, and grassroots organizations dedicated to upliftment and preservation across the region.
The Spirit of the Hill Awards celebrate outstanding contributions across multiple categories including Student & Educational Excellence, Environment & Sustainability, Social Service & Community Impact, and Heritage & Tourism. Inspired by the legacy and strength of DHR’s iconic steam locomotives, each award reflects the resilient spirit of the Himalayan foothills.
##Here is a complete list of the *Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – “Spirit of the Hills Awards”
Student & Educational Excellence Awards
- *IRON SHERPA Award – Best Student (DHR Catchment Area)
Conferred on a student who displays excellence not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities, leadership, sports, and community participation.
- Mountaineer Award – Best Boarder (Residential Student)
Presented to a hostel or residential school student who demonstrates perseverance, discipline, and leadership qualities within the school community.
- Queen of Hills Award – Excellence in Local Nepali Language & Culture
For the student excelling in Nepali language, literature, or cultural preservation.
Environment & Sustainability Awards
- Forest Whisperer Award – Environmental Stewardship
Awarded to individuals, institutions, or community groups who have contributed significantly to environmental protection, afforestation, or sustainable practices in the hills.
- Tusker Award – Cleanliness & Green Initiative
Given to villages, wards, or organizations leading cleanliness, waste management, or green initiative drives along the DHR corridor.
Social Service & Community Impact Awards
- Soldat Award – Social Service & Volunteerism
Recognizes individuals, NGOs, or community members for their exceptional contribution to social service, humanitarian work, or volunteerism in the hill communities.
- Victor Award – Women Empowerment
Celebrates women achievers or organizations who have promoted education, livelihood, or leadership opportunities for women in the region.
- Valiant Award – Youth Leadership & Innovation
Presented to young leaders or innovators who have created impactful solutions to social, environmental, or community challenges.
Heritage, Tourism & Other Awards
- Wanderer Award – Heritage Ambassador of the Year
Honours individuals, influencers,artists, researchers, or educators who have actively promoted or preserved the heritage and history of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
- Ajax Award – Tourism & Hospitality Partner
Awarded to tourism stakeholders such as hotels, guides, or travel operators who enhance visitor experience through responsible and heritage-based tourism.
- Horatio Award – Railway Worker of the Year
Recognizes DHR staff or maintenance workers who have displayed extraordinary dedication, innovation, or service excellence.
- Bronco Award – Adventure & Resilience
Celebrates individuals who exemplify courage, endurance, or adventurous spirit in the Himalayan region.
- Hawkeye Award – Photography & Visual Storytelling
Awarded to photographers or filmmakers whose work captures the essence, beauty, and life of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and its people.
- Hill Bird Award – Voice of the Hills
For a poet, singer, storyteller, journalist or broadcaster who carries the sounds and stories of the hills to wider audiences.
Nominations must be submitted via email to director.dhr@gmail.com. Submissions should be received on or before November 9, 2026. Selected awardees will be honoured during the official award ceremony on *November 29, 2026,* amidst cultural performances and heritage exhibitions at Ghum Railway Station during the Ghum Winter Festival 2026.
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