Susheel bags Prof Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 14: Dogri poet Susheel Begana  was conferred with the fourth Prof Ram Nath Shastri Smriti Puruskar (Memorial Award)  in presence of a galaxy of writers, intellectuals,  relatives and prominent citizens at an impressive function  organized by Dogri Sanstha at KL Saigal Hall here today.
Begana was awarded for his first collection of poems ‘Maun Lakeeran’ published in 2016. The award carries Rs 21,000 cash, a shawl, a memento and citation. Prof Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award has been instituted by Dogri Sanstha and is sponsored by the family members of Late Shastri ji. The award is given annually for the best first book of Dogri written by an author in the preceding five years.
Prof RD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Jammu University was the chief guest on this occasion, whereas,  Dr Lalit Magotra, noted writer, intellectual and convener, Sahitya Akademi’s Advisory Board for Dogri, presided over the function. Dr Arvinder Singh Aman, Additional Secretary, JK Academy of Art ,Culture and Languages shared the dais as special guest.
Speaking on this occasion, Prof RD Sharma eulogized the contribution of Dogri Sanstha in the development of Dogri language and literature and said that Dogri language is the first and foremost identity of Dogras and it must be maintained at all costs as precious legacy.
Dr Aman recalled the colossal contribution of Shastri ji  and congratulated Begana. Dr Lalit Magotra  in his address said that Prof Ram Nath Shastri was an extraordinary human being who by virtue  of his single contribution to Dogri became synonymous with the movement of Dogri literature. He was the driving force behind the cultural renaissance in Duggar who motivated three generations to enrich Dogri literature.
Earlier, welcoming the audience, Joginder Chhatrapal, president of Dogri Sanstha, said that Prof Shastri was a great visionary and formation of Dogri Sanstha by him along with five other doyens of Dogri at the vital era of nineteen forties, was a most significant event in the history of the region.
The proceedings were  conducted by Dr Nirmal Vinod, general secretary while Gianeshwar, vice president of Sanstha, presented vote of thanks.

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