Archive · 2 Dec 2025
DHR Honors Hill Heroes in First Awards Ceremony
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) held its first 'Spirit of the Hills Awards' to honor people and groups who have done great things in the Darjeeling hills.
The awards were given out on Sunday at Ghum station as part of the DHR Winter Festival 2025, which runs from November 29 to December 7.
The awards were given in four categories: student and educational excellence, environment and sustainability, social service and community impact, and heritage and tourism.
Some of the winners include Kavya Subedi for her academic performance, Devesh Pandey for his work in environmental conservation, Nilima Tamang for her work in women's empowerment, and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for their contribution to heritage and tourism.
The festival also features cultural performances, heritage exhibitions, and steam locomotive experiences.
There will be a special 'Heritage Run' on December 5, and the festival will end with a closing ceremony at Chowrasta on December 7.
This year's festival is special because it marks 200 years of railways globally.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) introduced the first-ever 'Spirit of the Hills Awards' to honor individuals and organizations contributing to various fields in the Darjeeling hills.
The awards were presented on December 1, 2025, at Ghum station as part of the ongoing DHR Winter Festival 2025, which runs from November 29 to December 7.
Awards were given in four categories: student and educational excellence, environment and sustainability, social service and community impact, and heritage and tourism.
Notable awardees include Kavya Subedi for academic excellence, Devesh Pandey for environmental conservation, Nilima Tamang for women's empowerment, and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for heritage and tourism initiatives.
The festival features cultural performances, heritage exhibitions, steam locomotive experiences, and a special 'Heritage Run' scheduled for December 5.
- Who
- Individuals and organizations contributing to various fields in the Darjeeling hills
- What
- First-ever 'Spirit of the Hills Awards' ceremony
- When
- December 1, 2025 (during the DHR Winter Festival 2025)
- Where
- Ghum station, Darjeeling hills
- Why
- To recognize and honor contributions to education, heritage, tourism, environmental protection, and social transformation
- Event Name
- Spirit of the Hills Awards
- Location
- Ghum station, Darjeeling hills
- Festival Duration
- November 29 - December 7, 2025
- Award Categories
- Student and educational excellence, environment and sustainability, social service and community impact, heritage and tourism
- Notable Awardees
- Kavya Subedi, Devesh Pandey, Nilima Tamang, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
- Festival Highlights
- Cultural performances, heritage exhibitions, steam locomotive experiences, Heritage Run
- Significance
- Celebrating 200 years of railways globally