President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious Jnanpith Award to Jagatguru Ram Bhadracharya at a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The award recognises his outstanding contribution to Indian literature and Sanskrit scholarship.
On this occasion, the President congratulated Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and also extended her congratulations to Gulzar for receiving the Jnanpith Award, despite his absence from the award ceremony. She expressed her hope that Gulzar Ji would soon regain his health and continue to make significant contributions to art, literature, society, and the country.
The President emphasised that literature has the power to unite and awaken society. From the social awakening of the 19th century to the freedom struggle of the 20th century, poets and writers have played a vital role in connecting people. The song “Vande Mataram,” composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has inspired the children of Mother India for nearly 150 years and will continue to do so. From the works of ancient poets like Valmiki, Vyas, and Kalidas to the timeless contributions of Rabindranath Tagore, we can feel the pulse of a living India. This pulse represents the essence of Indianness.
The President commended the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust for recognising outstanding writers in various Indian languages since 1965. She noted that through the process of awarding exceptional literary figures, the selectors of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Award have successfully highlighted the best talents and have preserved the honor of this award.
The President mentioned that women writers who have received the Jnanpith Award, such as Ashapurna Devi, Amrita Pritam, Mahadevi Verma, Qurratul-Ain-Haider, Mahasweta Devi, Indira Goswami, Krishna Sobti, and Pratibha Ray, have deeply observed and experienced Indian traditions and society. Their contributions have greatly enriched our literature. She encouraged that our sisters and daughters should actively engage in literary creation, drawing inspiration from these remarkable women writers to enhance the sensitivity of our social perspectives.
Regarding Shri Rambhadracharya Ji, the President highlighted his impressive example of excellence. She praised his diverse contributions and acknowledged that, despite being physically challenged, he has made extraordinary contributions to literature and society through his profound insight. She expressed her belief that future generations will continue to be inspired by his remarkable life, moving forward in literary creation, and in building both society and the nation.
