Recognition inspires one to work harder: Nirmohi

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 30

Prof Shiv Nirmohi (83), who has been conferred with Padma Shri on Republic Day for his outstanding contribution in the field of literature, said his work recognised at the national level would go a long way in spreading Dogra art, heritage, culture and legacy, far and wide.

“Receiving the highest award at the national level for any work helps in broadening its outreach and many people across the country come to know about it. I feel humbled for getting my work on variegated facets of Dogra culture and heritage recognised ,” said Nirmohi while speaking to The Tribune.

Nirmohi says recognition of work among people energises and inspires you to work harder.

Sharing his journey into writing books on different Dogra art, culture and heritage, Nirmohi said he was inspired by some of his colleagues in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, who kept promoting their heritage besides being in a regular profession.

“I got in touch with them in 1980 and received some of the books written by them on different aspects of their region. This interested me and I immediately took to exploring Duggar literature, cultural and heritage legacy,” said Nirmohi.

A resident of Panthal in Katra of Reasi district, Nirmohi besides pursuing his professional duty as a professor in Degree College, Kathua, started travelling to different districts of Jammu and wrote books on various aspects of Duggar highlights.

“So far, I have written 35 books, which include Duggar art, culture and heritage in different forms and variegating from region to region. My works also include folk tales based on deities worshipped by different people and their importance,” said Nirmohi.

Besides having being awarded with the Padma Shri by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Republic Day, Nirmohi has two more national awards to his credit.

I was honoured by then Prime Minister Chandershekhar for my book “Duggar Ki Sanskriti” in 1990, which was followed by another honour by late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the book “Padder Log Aur Sanskriti” in 2003,” said Prof Shiv Nirmohi.

Recipient of many awards from the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages also for his different books on Duggar literature, Nirmohi said he always took 10 per cent cut from his salary to pursue his literature work and was still doing the same from his pension also.