Two Antaryami Mishras Claim Padma Shri, Odisha High Court Demands Proof

A bizarre case has surfaced in Odisha, where two people with the same name—Antaryami Mishra—are claiming the 2023 Padma Shri award.

One is a doctor, known for writing 29 books in Odia and other Indian languages.
The other is a journalist, who officially received the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu.
Due to this identity confusion, the Odisha High Court has summoned both individuals to appear on February 24, 2025, with proof of their achievements.

Doctor’s Allegations Against the Journalist

Dr. Antaryami Mishra approached the Odisha High Court, claiming that the journalist wrongfully took the award meant for him.

He stated that his contributions in literature and education earned him a place in the Padma Shri list.
According to him, the journalist has not written any books and falsely received the award.

Odisha High Court’s Response

During the hearing, Justice S.K. Panigrahi expressed concerns over the verification process for national awards.

The court noted that government agencies follow a strict verification process, yet a name mix-up led to this confusion.
The court has ordered both individuals to present evidence—including books and other supporting documents—before the next hearing.

Key Questions Raised by the Case

This incident has led to broader concerns regarding India’s award selection process, including:

How did both names appear on the Padma Shri list?
Did an administrative mistake lead to this mix-up?
What measures can be taken to prevent such identity confusion in the future?
As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see who can prove their rightful claim to the prestigious Padma Shri.