(Embargoed for publication/broadcast till 1800 hrs)

New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) President APJ Abdul Kalam presented the prestigious Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman and Certificate of Honour to 30 scholars of Sanskrit, Pali/Prakrit, Arabic and Persian for the year 2006 at a function here today.

The Presidential Award of Certificate of Honour is announced on the eve of Independence Day every year in recognition of the outstanding contribution of eminent scholars over 60 years of age for keeping Sanskrit, Pali/Prakrit, Arabic and Prsian languages alive through their teaching and published works.

The scheme envisages a grant of Rs 50,000 per annum for life, besides a Sanad (scroll of honour) and a shawl.

It is conferred on a maximum of 15 eminent scholars of Sanskrit, one scholar of Prakrit/Pali and three scholars each of Arabic and Persian every year.

The Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman is conferred on young scholars of Sanskrit, Pali/Prakrit, Arabic and Persina in the 30-40 age group, who have made a breakthrough in the inter-disciplinary studies involving these languages and contributed to the process of synergy beteween modernity and tradition.

It carries a one-time cash award of Rs one lakh along with a scroll of honour and a shawl. A maximum of five young scholars of Sanskrit and one each in Pali/Prakrit, Arabic and Persian are conferred this award.

MORE UNI