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Srinagar, Oct 1 (UNI) A cultural centre will soon come up in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has announced.

He said the centre will be on the pattern of the already existing 'kala kendra' in Jammu.

''Multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-lingual character of Jammu and Kashmir is the epitome of great values of our country,'' Mr Azad said at the awards distribution ceremony here last evening.

Prominent writers and authors of the state were awarded at a function organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Language at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here.

Mr Azad hailed Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for being fully conscious of high cultural traditions of the state and said that during his rule, cultural exchanges were given top priority.

Complimenting the recipients of awards, the Chief Minister said the state was fertile with intellectual talents. It was the responsibility of all the departments concerned to explore the talent, he added.

On the occasion, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said Kashmir is known throughout the world for its great history and cultural past. The time has come when Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists should live together in the Valley with same love and amity which existed since times immemorial, he added.

Earlier, Mr Azad gave away awards comprising of a cash reward of Rs 25000, a memento and a shawl to 16 prominent writers who had compiled their books during 2004 and 2005.

The awardees are Dr Jatinder Udhampuri, Choudhry Noor Mohammad Majhroo, late Som Nath Zutshi, Syed Majrooh Malangami, Prof Rashpal Singh Bali, Hakim Manzoor, Dr Ashok Jerath, Prof A N Dhar, Krishan Sharma, M Y Taing, Binge Luyans, Ms Chandra Kanta, Syed Rasool Pampori, Imtiyaz Hashmi, Prof Sewa Singh and Thupstan Paldan UNI AG VD PM1754