JAMMU, Apr 15: Promila Manhas, a well-known Dogri poetess has been conferred prestigious Prof Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award-2023 in a simple but impressive function organized by Dogri Sanstha Jammu at Kunwar Viyogi Auditorium, Dogri Bhawan, Dogri Sanstha Karan Nagar, Jammu.
The function organized in collaboration with the family of Prof Ramnath Shastri, was presided over by Prof Lalit Magotra (president, Dogri Sanstha Jammu).
Promila Manhas was honoured with this award for her first collection of Dogri poetry entitled ‘Phullen Ladoi Raat Rani’ and was presented a memento, shawl and a cheque of Rs 20,000 during the function. At this moment, Prof Veena Gupta (vice president, Dogri Sanstha Jammu) read a citation on Promila Manhas’s literary contributions.
It is pertinent to add here that this award was started in 2014 and is given to a Dogri writer for his/her first collection of original work for the last five years. This year also many books were considered and the jury came out with unanimous decision in favour of ‘Phullen Ladoi Raat Rani’.
Prof Lalit Magotra while presiding over the function recalled the contributions made by Prof Ramnath Shastri who is also remembered as father of Dogri literature. He said that Promila Manhas is a versatile poetess and truly deserves this award and added that the way more and more books are submitted by Dogri writers, it’s an encouraging sign for Dogri literature.
Ajit Khajuria, son of Prof Ramnath Shastri, also shared the dais and recalled his memories with his father. On the occasion, Promila Manhas also recited a few poems from the Book.
Pawan Verma conducted the proceedings and Dr Chanchal Bhasin presented vote of thanks. A number of litterateurs, Dogri lovers and family members of Promila Manhas were present on the occasion.
