Jammu, Aug 18: Rakesh Abrol, a well- known poet of Jammu was honored with the sixth edition of the annual Navlekhan Tej Puraskar for the year 2023 by Hindi Sahitya Mandal (HSM), Jammu in a function organized by Hindi Sahitya Mandal at K L Saigal Hall of Writers’ Club, Cultural Academy, Jammu.
Dr. Rattan Lal Shant, senior writer was the chief guest on this occasion. Dr. Adarsh, a prominent Hindi writer from Udhampur presided over the function whereas Dr. Chanchal Dogra, President, HSM, Shekhar Gulati, Amt. Kusum Dhar ‘Sharda’ and Rakesh Abrol shared the dais.
The Navlekhan Tej Puraskar has been given to Rakesh Abrol for his Hindi poetry collection titled ‘Tumhare Liye’. This award is given by the Mandal in the memory of Late Sh. Tej Bhan Gulati with the support of his family. It carries a cash amount of Rs. 11,000/-, a shawl, Shreefall and a citation.
This year, the jury appointed by HSM-J for this award, included Hindi writers Dr. Agnishekhar and Dr. Raj Kumar, and Prof. Rajni Bala, HoD PG Hindi Deptt. University of Jammu. While deciding on the award, after studying the entries received this year, the judges unanimously recommended the collection ‘Tumhare Liye’ for this award. The collection was considered worthy of the award for the diversity of concerns of the poetry and the power of expression.
A paper on the qualitative merit of the book, the life and the contribution of Rakesh Abrol in the fields of literature and theatre was presented by Smt. Kusum Dhar ‘Sharda’. A citation in praise of Rakesh Abrol was presented by Dr. Aruna Sharma. Sh. Shyam Bihari Janeja, a senior writer also expressed his views on the poetry of Rakesh Abrol. The award winning Hindi poetry book titled ‘Tumhare Liye’ was also released during this function.
In his presidential address Dr. Adarsh appreciated the efforts made by Hindi Sahitya Mandal, Jammu and the Gulati family for organizing such programmes and promoting Hindi language and the cultural activities. Appreciating the poetic work of Rakesh Abrol, Dr. Adarsh said that the poetry of Abrol is reflection of Nature in its varied hues. Dr. Rattan Lal appreciated the poetry and the sensibility of Rakesh Abrol in bringing out his poetry in a simple and effective way.
Earlier Dr. Chanchal Dogra, President of Hindi Sahitya Mandal, welcomed the guests and gave a brief of the activities of the Mandal.
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Smt. Uma Sharma, Literary secretary, and Smt. Monto Dutta Sharma, acting Gen. Secretary, HSM-J. The vote of thanks was extended by Sh. Sanjiv Bhasin, Vice- President, HSM, Jammu.
