CM presents Dr Sadhu Singh Hamdard award to Kuldeep Nayyar

Jalandhar, Jan 1 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal today presented the Dr Sadhu Singh Hamdard Award to noted journalist and columnist Kuldeep Nayyar at a function here.

The Hamdard Award, which was instituted by the Ajit Group of Newspapers in the memory of its founder, Dr Sadhu Singh Hamdard, carried a cash prize of Rs two lakh, a memento and a shawl.

Speaking on the occassion, the Chief Minister said that Dr Hamdard was not only a great scholar and writer but also journalist par excellence. ''He dedicated his entire life for the promotion of Punjab and Punjabi and we should take his work forward,'' he added.

Cutting across political lines, the function was attended by the leaders of almost all the political parties including Congress and CPI (M) along with the ruling alliance of SAD (Badal)and BJP.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Ashwani Kumar was also present on the occasion.

Both SAD (Badal) acting president Sukhbir Badal and Punjab Congress chief and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal stressed the need to promote Punjab, Punjabi languange and culture. Mr Badal appealed the Chief Minister to dedicate this year for the promotion of Punjabi.

While paying rich tributes to Dr Sadhu Singh, Nayyar said that during his life time, Dr Hamdard worked relentlessly for Punjab.

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