Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Writer-journalist Rajeshwar Singh Raju was given away the second Prof Ram Nath Shastri Smriti Puruskar (Memorial Award) at an impressive function organised by Dogri Sanstha on the closure of year long Birth Centenary Celebration of Padamshree Prof Ram Nath Shastri.
Rajeshwar Singh Raju was awarded for his first collection of short stories ‘Khoudhal’ published in 2013. The award carries Rs 21,000 cash, a shawl, a memento and citation.
The celebrations were held at KL Saigal Hall, in the presence of a galaxy of writers, intellectuals, Prof Shastri’s associates, relatives and prominent citizens.
Justice (Retd) JP Singh of J&K High Court was the chief guest on the occasion, whereas Dr Ved Kumari presided over the function.
Prof Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award has been instituted by Dogri Sanstha and is sponsored by the family members of Shastriji. The award is given annually for the best first book of Dogri written by an author in the preceding five years. Last year the Award was bagged by novelist Shailender Singh for his novel ‘Hashiye Par.’
Earlier while welcoming the audience, Chhatrapal, president of Dogri Sanstha, said the emergence of Prof Shastri at the vital era of 1940 was a most significant event in the history of the region that played a crucial role in the development of Dogri language and literature.
“He was the inspirational force behind the cultural renaissance in Duggar who motivated three generations to enrich Dogri literature”, he added.
The proceedings were ably conducted by Dr Nirmal Vinod, general secretary of Dogri Sanstha while Dr Chanchal Bhasin, the literary secretary, presented the citation. Gianeshwar, vice president of Sanstha, presented the vote of thanks.
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