Beeta Lautata Hai awarded

“Beeta Lautata Hai”- a collection of poems by the renowned Hindi, poet, columnist and translator Manoj Sharma, has been selected by the Ministry of Human Resources Development for its award constituted for Hindi writers. 

Encompassing varied fascinating facets of Jammu, its culture, life, this collection of poems was chosen for this prestigious award by the high level selection committee of the Ministry under a special scheme of Central Hindi Directorate for propagation of literature and encouragement of Hindi litterateurs.

Manoj will receive an award of Rs one lakh from the President of India.Hailing from Gurdaspur, Punjab, the writer has been active in the Hindi literary field of the state and has remained associated with Hindi Sahitya Mandal. His first collection of Hindi poems "Yathaarth Kay Ghere Mein" sponsored by J&K Academy of Art, Cultural and Languages (JKAACL) was released by the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Jagmohan in 1988. He continued his literary pursuits and his second poetic collection “Yakeen Mano Mein Aaunga’ was released by the Padma Shree awardee and noted Hindi-Dogri litterateur late Prof Ram Nath Shastri in 1997.

His award winning poetic venture “Beeta Lautata Hai” was released in Mumbai by renowned Urdu litterateur, Hindi film director Sagar Sarhadi.Manoj has been writing on issues concern humanity and society and it’s his unending quest to find answers to conundrums of life in his inimitable manner which fascinates his readers as well as critics. His well appreciated literary column ‘Filhaal’ published in ‘Dainik Kashmir Times”, is very popular among the lovers of Hindi literature, critics and has always evoked great response among the readers. He also remained associated with ‘Sanskriti Manch Jammu’ for quite long and as its founder member contributed in many ways to this literary organization. He has been actively associated with radio, Doordarshan and theatre activities.

Besides being a determined, committed writer, Manoj displays his creativity with a splash of innovation in poster making, editing leaflets on Hindi literature and its legendary litterateurs.  His works on Bhagat Singh, Paash, Palestinian writer Mehmood Darvesh and Faiz Ahmad Faiz have been highly appreciated.In his own words, “Beeta Lautata Hai” was weaved with  the culture, various nuggets of  life in Jammu and its people in the backdrop, therefore this award winning collection is in a sense- a recognition of ‘Duggar Pradesh’ which served as an inspiration for him and offered him cherishing moments.  Many literary figures and organizations including Yuva Hindi Lekhak Sangh have congratulated him on receiving this award.