Bihari Puraskar for Rajasthani author Hariram Meena

Noted Rajasthani author Hariram Meena has been selected for the Bihari Puraskar for 2012 for his Hindi novel 'Dhooni Tape Teer'.
Instituted by the K K Birla Foundation in 1991, the Bihari Puraskar is given annually to Rajasthani writers for outstanding literary works in Hindi or Rajasthani published in the past 10 years. The award carries a citation and a cash purse of Rs 1 lakh.
The selection for the award every year is carried out by a panel, currently headed by Nand Kishore Acharya, former professor at Rampuria College in Bikaner.
Meena was born on May 1, 1952 in Vamanvas village of Sawai Madhopur district in Rajasthan. He has a number of publication to his credit including two anthologies, one novel and a travelogue.

The novel, published in 2008, is based on death of scores of tribal people at Mangarh mountains near Banswara in Rajasthan on November 17, 1913 when British forces had resorted to gunfire to contain their revolt.
The novel reflects exploitation, struggle and sacrifices of tribal people in the state.
The K K Birla Foundation also gives two other prestigious awards -- Saraswati Samman and Vyas Samman -- for outstanding literary works.