President confers 51st Jnanpith Award on writer Raghuveer Chaudhari

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday conferred the 51st Jnanpith Award on renowned writer, Dr. Raghuveer Chaudhari) at a function held at Parliament Library Building here.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that an eminent scholar and a Gandhian in spirit and behaviour, Dr. Chaudhari represents the fluid brilliance that characterizes India's pluralistic literary genius.

"It is indeed an example of his brilliant fluidity that an author, who strove to master Hindi academically, expressed himself in Gujarati in his literary pursuit. I have been informed that Dr. Chaudhari has been an ardent writer of Hindi columns as well, and his literary work has explored varied genre of poetry, prose, novels, and fictions as also commentary on contemporary issues," the President said.

Asserting that as a writer, who has explored existentialism in his works, analysed the functional aspect of human life and profoundly expressed his thoughts in his poetry through images and symbols, the President said that Dr Chaudhari has rightfully joined the stellar constellation of his predecessor awardees.

The President said that this occasion of presentation of Jnanpith award also gave an opportunity to recall the contributions of Late Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and Late Rama Jain, whose efforts in promoting Indian languages and literature and establishing the Bhartiya Jnanpith remain a shining example.

He reiterated that it is not possible on the part of one agency to ensure the full-fledged development of art, literature and development of creativity.

The President stated that it is through translation of literature in various languages that makes it possible for a wider section of people to have access to it.