Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday honoured the renowned poet, critic and littérateur, Shriniwas Shrikant with the lifetime achievement award for his efforts of promoting and preserving the Hindi literature.
He was honoured at a function organised by Himalaya Sahitya Avem Sanskriti Manch.The Chief Minister congratulated Shriniwas for the lifetime achievement award and said that it was really an accomplishment in the field of the Hindi literature, a language which is widely acknowledged and understood in India.
Aged 78 years, Shriniwas made his strong presence felt as a critic in Hindi literature. He began his writing career with his anthology of poems Niyati and since then, there was no looking back for him.He was honoured by Dinkar Award by Rupambra, a National Hindi Academy for projecting relations between man and the nature through his early writings and poetry.
“I attribute such awards as a real tribute to those writers, poets, historians and litterateurs who had devoted their entire life serving, conserving and promoting the literature across language barriers”, said Shriniwas. He said that he loves to be amongst the writers and reads books whenever he gets time.
The Chief Minister added that any NGO working in the field of preserving our culture, language, Art and literature not only motivate the society as a whole but they deserve recognition and rewards.The State Government was concerned about the welfare of the writers and historians of the state and was endeavoured to provide more facilities in the ‘writers home’ in the State, said he while adding that directions have been given to the Department of language, Art and Culture to purchase more books of Himachali authors at good suitable prices and assured of all possible help to the organisation.He said that the Government had renovated and restored Gaiety Theatre, which has now become a hub of many cultural activities.