Kabir Samman for Ashok Vajpayee

Bhopal, July 26 (UNI) Poet and former IAS officer Ashok Vajpayee has been chosen for the Rashtriya Kabir Samman 2005-06.

The honour, established in 1986-87 by the Madhya Pradesh government, carries a cash component of Rs 1.5 lakh, a citation and is bestowed for outstanding poetry in Indian languages.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar would present the award on August 8 at a function to be presided over by Minister of State for Culture Lakshmikant Sharma here, a Culture Directorate release said today.

Mr Vajpayee, who was born at Durg on January 16, 1941 and served in senior administrative posts in this state, is the third Hindi poet to receive the Samman. His predecessors were late Shamsher Bahadur Singh (1989-90) and Kunwar Narayan (2001-02).

His books include 'Shahar Ab Bhi Sambhavna Hai', 'Ek Patang Anant Mein', 'Agar Itne Se', 'Tatpurush', 'Kahin Nahin Wahin', 'Ghaas Mein Dubka Akash' and 'Ibarat Se Giri Matrayen'.

UNI AG-AC LS VV1528