10 authors felicitated with Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi award

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, May 22 

The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi felicitated 10 writers during its 10th annual award presentation held at the UT Guest House here today. 

The winners of lifetime award of recognition are Prof Surjit Hans (Punjabi), Prof Shashi Dhar Sharma (Sanskrit), Prof Manju Jaidka (English), Dr Renu Behl (Urdu) and Amarjit Amar. 

The best book year award went to Jasbir Kaur (English poetry), Harsimran Kaur (Punjabi poetry), Lalita Puri Raj Manohar (Hindi poetry), Vijay Saudai (Hindi novel) and Shailja Kaushal (short story).

Endowed with wisdom, resolve and great love for Punjabi literature, litterateur Prof Surjit Hans (85) shared how he spent 20 long years to create a marvel of perfect translation of all works, including plays and sonnets, of legendary William Shakespeare in 39 large volumes from target language English to Punjabi. 

World acclaimed Sanskrit scholar and recipient of the President’s Award Prof Shashidhar Sharma said, “This award from the akademi of my city carries more significance than national and state awards.”

Academician and novelist Prof Manju Jaidaka, shared that novel was a living and evolving journey with a fusion of form, substance and expression. 

Urdu novelist Dr Renu Behl said novel was a literary phenomenon and not many novels are being written.

“Poetry is an articulation of emotions in a suitable paradigm of words,” observed Amarjit Amar, a prolific poet from the region.

An elated Vijay Saudai (32), a contractor by profession and novelist by passion, has penned only two novels and both won him awards. 

The maiden short story book, ‘Vastav Mein’, of young writer Shailja Kaushal won her award and adulation.

Earlier, akademi vice-chairman and poet Madhav Kaushik read out the achievements and future plans of the literary body. 

NS Rattan IAS (retd) and VK Sibal IAS (retd) and akademi chairman Gulzar Sandhu presented awards to the winners.