Award money of Haryana Urdu Academy to be doubled: Khattar

Sushil Manav

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

A dazzling rendition of Sanskrit songs ‘Bhaj Govindam’ composed by Adi Shankracharya and ‘Adharam Madhuram’ composed by Sri Vallabhacharya from Dhruv Band of Bhopal enthralled a spellbound audience for over an hour on the second day of Haryana Sahitya Sangam at Inderdhanush Indoor Stadium in Panchkula today.

The band, comprising nearly 10 percussionists and singers, received such a rousing response from the audience for their scintillating performance. They had to repeat their more than 40 minutes long rendition once again.

A Sanskrit play ‘Shodash Sanskar’ depicted in Hindi and Sanskrit the true meaning and spirit of the 16 ‘sanskars’ (values) expected in human beings and the circumstances under which these are to be observed, was also liked very much. Besides, seminars on various literary topics were organised by the various Sahitya Akademies of the state in which writers, poets and litterateurs from all over the state and outside participated. When Haryana Urdu Akademi was holding such seminar, Additional Chief Secretary KK Khandelwal, who heads Swaran Jayanti celebrations in the State, called Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and requested him to hike award money for the litterateurs of the language.

Khattar, who was in Dehradun to attend swearing in ceremonies of the new government in Uttarakhand, announced to double the prize money of all the 11 awards being given away by Haryana Urdu Academy every year.

Haryana Granth Akademi organised a seminar on Saraswati River in which noted scholars of the subject like Dr Kuldeep Agnihotri, Vice Chancellor of Central University, Dharamshala, Dr Vijay Kayat, Vice Chancellor of CDL University, Sirsa, and others were main speakers.

Virender Chauhan, deputy chairman of the Akademi, said a seminar on universal relevance of Bhagwatgita would be organised tomorrow.

“I have attended literary events across the country and I found Haryana Sahitya Sangam among the best,” said Dr Raunak Zaidi, who had come from Aligarh.

Dr Nand Kishore Shashtri from Palwal said it was the first of its kind of event organised in Haryana.

Pawan Kumar Bansal, who has penned a few books on Haryanvi politics, culture and journalism, however, alleged that only preferred writers of some bureaucrats have been invited.

Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki will be the chief guest of closing ceremonies of the event tomorrow.