Santoor exponent Bhajan Sopori awarded

Noted Santoor exponent Bhajan Sopori was today conferred the 'Dr S Radhakrishnan Memorial National Teacher and Media Award' for his contribution in the field of music and culture.
Sopori, a Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi award recipient, was part of as many as 60 professionals, who were felicitated for their "outstanding contribution" in their respective areas of work on the eve of Teachers' Day.
"Teachers show path to the world. I am part of a profession where the Guru-shishya (teacher-student) tradition is considered very important. In our profession, the position of teacher is above the God. Whatever I have achieved, is because of the blessings of my teachers," Sopori said.

The 66-year-old instrumentalist hailed the role of academicians and doctors in laying the "foundation" of a nation. Their contributions are usually "neglected", he lamented.
"Both the professions lay the foundation of our nation and of course, the doctors care about the health of the nation. We are merely musicians who entertain you when you need. Professionals of these field have very significant contributions which are usually neglected," he said.
The event was organised by an association of freelance journalists and writers at the Constitution Club.