Press Releases

Monday, May 13, 2013

Press Release No. 247/13

BHASHA SAMMAN PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD

Shillong, May 13, 2013: The Sahitya Akademi today held the Bhasha Samman Presentation Ceremony and Awardees Meet at the Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong wherein the Meghalaya Minister of Urban Affairs, Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh was the Chief Guest. The function was also graced by the presence of the President, Sahitya Akademi, Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari and K Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi.

The Bhashan Samman is the honour bestowed upon writers and scholars who contributes immensely to the rich heritage of unscheduled languages, written or oral. The award includes a plaque and a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh. This year’s awardees include Narayan Chandra Goswami for Classical and Medieval Literature, Hassu Yajnik for Classical and Medieval Literature, Tabu Ram Taid for Mising language and literature, Addanda C. Carriappa and (L) Mandeera Jaya Appanna jointly for Kodava language and literature and Sondar Sing Majaw for Khasi language and literature.

Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, in her speech, said that due to lack of opportunity and platform, most of our rich heritage like folklores have not been properly documented and this is of great concern that they may fade into oblivion. She said that the State Government will make an effort to extend help to such programmes to encourage the younger generation to love and nurture their own mother tongue and their own cultural heritage. She said that Khasi language in all forms of writing continues to fill and enrich the present generation and it certainly deserves to be recognized as an official language.

In his presidential address, Mr. Tiwari said that India is a multi-lingual and multi-cultural country. Besides 24 languages recognized by Sahitya Akademi, there are thousands of languages, written or oral, which represents the rich culture and heritage of our nation. Therefore, he called upon the people to honour and enrich the “greatest invention of man”, that is language, which is one of the indices of cultural identity.

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