Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Pawan Verma, a young Dogri poet, has been conferred with prestigious Prof Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award-2024 for his collection of Dogri poetry ‘Jo Katteya So Mahlein’.
The award was conferred upon him during a simple but an impressive function, organized by Dogri Sanstha Jammu, in collaboration with family members of Padmashri Prof Ram Nath Shastri, at Dogri Bhawan, Dogri Sanstha, Karan Nagar Jammu.
Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, Govt of UT of J & K, was the chief guest on the occasion whereas Prof Lalit Magotra, President of Dogri Sanstha Jammu, presided over the function.
The award that was started in 2014 in the memory of father of Dogri literature, carries a cash award of Rs 21,000, a shawl and a memento and is given to a Dogri writer every year for his/her first book written in the last five years on the birthday of Prof Ram Nath Shastri that falls on 15th of April.
While speaking on the occasion, Suresh Kumar Gupta said that the way young generation is getting connected to their mother tongue Dogri and young poets like Pawan Verma are inspiring others to pen down their creative work in their mother tongue, is an indication of bright future.
Before that Prof Lalit Magotra, in his welcome address, talked about the importance of such a prestigious award which inspires a lot. He added that the Sanstha was founded by Prof Ram Nath Shastri along with five others to preserve and promote mother tongue Dogri and the efforts are going on for the last almost 80 years now.
Prof Veena Gupta, Vice President Dogri Sanstha Jammu presented a citation on the works of Pawan Verma.
Pawan Verma, the awardee, also shared his literary journey and recited a few poems from the book.
The program was conducted by Susheel Begana and vote of thanks was presented by Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’, General Secretary Dogri Sanstha Jammu.
The program was graced by auspicious gathering comprising of litterateurs, literature lovers, Ajeet Khajuria and Dinesh Khajuria, both sons of Prof Ram Nath Shatsri and other family members of the Shastri.
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