Nirmam to be honoured by Haryana Sahitya Academy

Ambala, June 16 (UNI) Known writers Prf. Hem Chand 'Nirmam' and writer-critic Dr Yahpal Vaid are among those who will be honoured for their literary achievements by the Haryana Sahitya Academy for the year 2006-07, Education and Languages Minister Phool Chand Mullana said here today.

Mr Mullana said that the highest Sur Award had been granted to Prof Hem Chand 'Nirmam' retired Professor Hindi Department Maharishi Dayanad University, Rohtak.

'Nirmam', who has 25 books on criticism, child literature, novels and plays to his credit, will be awarded Rs 1 lakh with a citation.

He said that Dr Vaid would get Babu Balmukund Award which carried a cash award worth Rs 50,000.

Senior journalist Rohit Yadav had been selected for best journalist Award with cash prize of Rs 50,000, he added. Mr Yadav is an honorary member of Research Board of Advisors of American Biographical Institute USA.

The Education Minister was the chief guest at a Punjabi Kavi Darbar held jointly by the Haryana Punjabi Sahit Academy and Haryana Punjabi Lekhak Sabha today.

He said that the annual budget of all the four Academies of Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit and Punjabi had been increased from Rs 15 lakh to 40 lakh and awards money had been increased to Rs 1 lakh in each language.

UNI