Dogri Sanstha Jammu in collaboration with family members of Padmashri Prof. Ram Nath Shastri honoured Pawan Verma, a young Dogri poet with prestigious Prof. Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award- 2024 for his collection of Dogri poetry “Jo Katteya So Maahlein” in a simple but an impressive function organized at Dogri Bhawan, Dogri Sanstha Karan Nagar Jammu.
Sh. Suresh Kumar Gupta (IFS) Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, Govt. of UT of J & K was Chief Guest on the occasion whereas Prof. Lalit Magotra, President Dogri Sanstha Jammu presided over the function. The award that was started in 2014 in the memory of father of Dogri literature carries a cash award of 21,000, a shawl and a memento and is given to a Dogri writer every year for his/her first book written in the last five years on the birthday of Prof. Ram Nath Shastri that falls on 15th of April. While speaking on the occasion Suresh Kumar Gupta said that the way young generation is getting connected to their mother tongue Dogri and young poets like Pawan Verma are inspiring others to pen down their creative work in their mother tongue is an indication of bright future. Before that Prof. Lalit Magotra in his welcome address talked about the importance of such a prestigious award which inspires a lot. He added that Sanstha was founded by Prof. Ram Nath Shastri along with five others to preserve and promote mother tongue Dogri and the efforts are going on for the last almost 80 years now. Prof. Veena Gupta, Vice President Dogri Sanstha Jammu presented a citation on the works of Pawan Verma.
Pawan Verma, the awardee also shared his literary journey and recited a few poems from the book. The program was conducted by Susheel Begana, office Secretary, Dogri Sanstha Jammu. While presenting the vote of thanks by Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’, General Secretary Dogri Sanstha Jammu said that the life of Shastri Ji was full of struggle, but he never allowed his personal problems to overshadow the struggle for mother tongue. He led the movement and others followed him. The program was graced by an auspicious gathering comprising of litterateurs, literature lovers, Ajeet Khajuria, Dinesh Khajuria both sons of Prof. Ram Nath Shastri and other family members of Shastri Ji and Pawan Verma.
