Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured leading literary figures at the Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman Samaroh 2025, held at the Chief Minister’s residence. The event, organized by the Uttarakhand Bhasha Sansthan, celebrated excellence in literature and recognized the contributions of distinguished writers across various categories.
Top Literary Honour Conferred
The prestigious Uttarakhand Sahitya Bhushan Samman, the state’s highest literary award, was conferred upon Dr. Jiten Thakur for his outstanding contribution to Hindi literature. The Chief Minister described him as an inspiration not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire literary community.
Awards for Lifetime Literary Excellence
Several eminent writers were honoured with the Uttarakhand Long-term Outstanding Literary Creation Award. The recipients included:
- Dr. Buddhinath Mishra
- Shyam Singh Kautola
- Dr. Pritam Singh
- Kesar Singh Rai
- Atae Sabir Afzal Manglori
These awards recognized their lifelong dedication and contribution to literary creation.
Recognition Across Diverse Literary Categories
The ceremony also highlighted excellence in multiple literary fields:
- Sahitya Nari Vandan Samman: Prof. Diva Bhatt
- Outstanding Children’s Literature: Prof. Dinesh Chamola
- Original Writing Awards: Dr. Bhupendra Bisht, Dr. Sudha Jugran, Sheeshpal Gusain
- Kumaoni & Garhwali Literature Excellence: Tara Pathak, Hemant Singh Bisht, Gajendra Nautiyal
Young writers and winners of literary competitions were also felicitated during the event.
CM Highlights Uttarakhand’s Rich Literary Heritage
Addressing the gathering, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized the cultural richness of Uttarakhand and its deep-rooted literary tradition. He noted that the state has long been a source of inspiration for writers due to its natural beauty and spiritual heritage.
He recalled legendary literary figures such as Sumitranandan Pant, Gaura Pant Shivani, Mohan Upreti, and Shailesh Matiyani, who brought global recognition to the region.
Literature as a Tool for Social Change
The Chief Minister highlighted that literature acts as a mirror of society and that writers are not just creators of words but also guides and visionaries. He acknowledged the significant role played by literary figures during India’s freedom movement and the formation of Uttarakhand state.
Government Initiatives to Promote Literature
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, CM Dhami stated that Uttarakhand is actively working to preserve and promote its literary heritage. Key initiatives include:
- Financial grants for book publication
- Literary awards to encourage writers
- Establishment of two “Sahitya Grams” to promote literary tourism and provide modern facilities to authors
He also credited the leadership of Narendra Modi for inspiring a renewed focus on India’s cultural roots and literary legacy.
