Tradition meets technology
Dr. Jogesh Deuri’s work is an example of linking Assam’s Eri silk tradition to livelihoods, technology and processing. His official 2026 Padma citation records him as a specialist who has worked in the sericulture sector for more than three decades.
He earned an M.Sc. from Gauhati University, received postgraduate training in sericulture at the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute in Berhampore, and gained experience in cocoon technology at the Liaoning Sericultural Research Institute in China.
The Bodoland Silk Park
Among his main achievements is the integrated system around the Bodoland Silk Park in Kokrajhar, which tries to bring together a cocoon bank, spinning, printing, knitting and the processing of pupae in one place. He promoted Eri silk as a sustainable rural livelihood.
Eri, Muga and beyond
The citation also mentions his work on conserving Muga silk, the Eri Day held since 2019, research on cassava (tapioca) as a host plant, and representing India in sericulture internationally. The Padma Shri in 2026 gave national visibility to this sector-wide work.
He chose not to keep tradition locked in a museum, but to connect it to livelihoods and modern processing. Adding value close to home is often the key to raising rural incomes.
Sources
- PIB / Padma Awards 2026: official citation
- PIB: Dr. Jogesh Deuri profile
- India Today NE: interview
- Official video
- static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2026/jun/doc2026623901101.pdf
- pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2218922
- indiatodayne.in/assam/video/from-assam-to-the-nation-eri-silk-pioneer-dr-jogesh-deuri-honoured-with-padma-shri-1336697-2026-01-26
- youtube.com/watch?v=JCBe-QfUgZw