UNI scribe presented best Punjabi journalism award

New Delhi, Feb 4 (UNI) Senior UNI journalist Jaspal Singh Sidhu and eminent writer Dr Satinder Singh Noor were among the ten people who received the awards for their outstanding contribution to the Punjabi language at a function here.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit presented the awards to the recipients at the concluding function of a three-day Punjabi 'Mela' (festival) held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) here last evening.

The awards have been instituted by the Delhi Government-run Punjabi Academy.

Mr Sidhu was presented the ''Best Punjabi Journalism'' award for 2006-07. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a citation, a shawl and a memento.

The best literary award, Param Sahit Satkar Samman, was presented to Dr Noor for his outstanding contribution to Punjabi literature, language and culture. The award carries Rs 1.11 lakh in cash, a citation, a shawl and a memento.

The other recipients were Kirpal Singh Azad for Punjabi Sahit Sewa Samman, Dr Shanno Khurana (Punjabi music), Dr Tejinder Pal Kaur (Translation), Punjabi helpline for promotion and propagation of the language.

All these recipients would each get Rs 51,000 in cash besides citation, shawl and memento.

Imroz won the award for his book ''Jashan Jaari Hai'', Ushma for her poetry work ''Nee Main Keehnu Akhan'', Sekhon Ludhianvi for his novel ''Kukh'' and Wariyam Mast for his drama ''Gharli''.

These awards carry Rs 21,000 in cash besides a citation, a shawl and memento.

However, the Academy did not present the Life Time Achievement Award of Rs 11 lakh to anybody this year. Two years ago, this award was presented to late Amrita Pritam.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Dikshit lauded the significant contribution of the award winners towards the Punjabi language.

She said the Punjabi culture has contributed a lot to enrich the culture of the capital city.

Pakistan's Abdul Niazi Qawwal, Manpreet Akhtar from Punjab and Daler Mahendi rendered 'sufi' songs on the occasion.

UNI AG SHB VC1644