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{{Infobox person
| name = Renthlei Lalrawna
| birth_date = 22 December 1940
| birth_place = Dawn, Lunglei district, Mizoram, India
| education = Pachhunga Memorial College, Gauhati University
| occupation = Writer, Translator, Educational Administrator
| known_for = Chief Editor of Gilzom Publication, Mizo literature
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2025), Bhasha Samman (2023)
}}

'''Renthlei Lalrawna''', born on 22 December 1940, is an Indian [[Mizo language|Mizo-language]] writer, translator, and educational administrator.<ref name="padma">{{cite web |title=Shri Renthlei Lalrawna - Padma Awards Citation |url=https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/CitationsForTickets/2025/2025111.pdf |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Government of India}}</ref> He is recognized for his contributions to Mizo literature and language promotion. He served as the Joint Director of School Education in Mizoram and is the Chief Editor of Gilzom Publication.<ref name="at">{{cite news |date=January 26, 2025 |title=From The Arabian Nights to Padma Shri: Meet Mizoram's master translator, R Lalrawna |url=https://assamtribune.com/north-east/from-the-arabian-nights-to-padma-shri-meet-mizorams-master-translator-r-lalrawna-1566001 |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=[[The Assam Tribune]]}}</ref> In 2025, the [[Government of India]] awarded him the [[Padma Shri]] for his services in the fields of literature and education.<ref name="itne">{{cite news |date=January 26, 2025 |title="I developed my passion for translation since class 8": Padma Shri awardee R. Lalrawna |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/mizoram/video/i-developed-my-passion-for-translation-since-class-8-padma-shri-awardee-r-lalrawna-1160970-2025-01-26 |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=[[India Today NE]]}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Lalrawna was born in the village of Dawn, located in the [[Lunglei district]] of [[Mizoram]].<ref name="padma" /> He completed his primary and secondary education locally before earning a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from Pachhunga Memorial College in 1963. He later pursued further studies, obtaining a [[Master's degree]] from [[Gauhati University]] in 1975.<ref name="vang">{{cite news |date=May 31, 2025 |title=Pu Rawna Padma award dawn lawmpuina |url=https://www.vanglaini.org/article/151163 |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Vanglaini}}</ref>

== Career in education ==
Lalrawna began his career as a Lower Division Clerk and gradually advanced within the Education Department of the [[Government of Mizoram]].<ref name="padma" /> He eventually became the Joint Director of School Education, specifically heading the Adult Education Wing.<ref name="gazette">{{cite web |date=January 23, 1998 |title=The Mizoram Gazette - Part I |url=https://mizoramassembly.in/storage/Assembly/Gazette/GN/GZGN27ISS_004.pdf |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Government of Mizoram}}</ref> During his tenure, he formulated action plans, produced textbooks, and launched state-wide literacy campaigns. He collaborated with various non-governmental organizations, including the Young Mizo Association, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl, churches, and village councils, to promote adult education.<ref name="diprmwa">{{cite web |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Education Minister In Mizo Writers Association Foundation Day A Hmanpui |url=https://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/post/education-minister-in-mizo-writers-association-foundation-day-a-hmanpui |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Mizoram}}</ref> These initiatives contributed significantly to the literacy rate of Mizoram, which increased from 59 percent in the 1981 census to 88.49 percent in 1991, making Mizoram the state with the second-highest literacy rate in India. He retired from government service on January 1, 2003.<ref name="at" />

== Literary contributions ==
Lalrawna is a prominent novelist, essayist, and critic in the Mizo language. He has authored fourteen original volumes and translated fifteen books from English into Mizo.<ref name="itne" /> His translations include works by [[William Shakespeare]], [[Marie Corelli]], [[Lloyd C. Douglas]], [[Jules Verne]], Franklin G. Slaughter, and [[John Bunyan]]. He also met [[Mother Teresa]] in Calcutta and subsequently wrote a book about her and the Missionaries of Charity.<ref name="padma" /> In addition, Lalrawna compiled a widely used collection of Mizo songs titled ''Mizo Rohlu''. Two of his books and one essay have been prescribed in the academic syllabi by the [[Mizoram Board of School Education]] and [[Mizoram University]].<ref name="diprmei">{{cite web |date=June 26, 2025 |title=School Education Minister-in Meichher Golden Jubilee 2025 lawmna hun a hmanpui |url=https://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/post/school-education-minister-in-meichher-golden-jubilee-2025-lawmna-hun-a-hmanpui |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Mizoram}}</ref> He is the Chief Editor of Gilzom Publication and was instrumental in the founding and editing of ''Meichher'', a Mizo literary magazine.<ref name="vang2">{{cite news |date=June 3, 2025 |title=Mizorama hun inlûmlet kara teak hlutna |url=https://www.vanglaini.org/article/151247 |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Vanglaini}}</ref>

== Administrative roles and recognition ==
Lalrawna has served as the President of the Mizo Writers Association. He is an expert member of the Mizoram Publication Board and a member of the Mizo Language Committee.<ref name="padma" /> For his literary contributions, he received a Literary Award from the Mizo Writers Association. The Sahitya Akademi conferred the Bhasha Samman on him for the year 2023, which was officially presented on August 29, 2024.<ref name="sahitya">{{cite web |title=Bhasha Samman Awardees |url=https://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/awards/Bhasha-Samman_Suchi.pdf |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]]}}</ref><ref name="dataful">{{cite web |title=Sahitya Akademi Awards: Year, Author and Language-wise Bhasha Samman Awards |url=https://dataful.in/datasets/1354/ |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Dataful}}</ref> In 2025, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] by the Government of India.<ref name="itne" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Literature & Education}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Literature}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mizo-language writers]]
[[Category:Indian translators]]
[[Category:Writers from Mizoram]]
[[Category:Gauhati University alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature and education]]

Renthlei Lalrawna - Revision history

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