Dr Jitendra Udhampuri, an eminent poet, writer, scholar and critic has been selected for the National Award for literature-2015.
The award will be presented by the President Pranab Mukherjee in a function to be held at the plenary hall of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on October 1, an official spokesman here said.
The award comprises of a memento, citation and Rs 2.5 lakh in cash.
Udhampuri is a house hold name in the Jammu region of the state. After rendering 30 years of meritorious service in the field of broadcasting, he retired as senior director All India Radio.
Besides being a reputed broadcaster, Dr Udhampuri has ceaselessly worked for over 50 years for the enrichment of Dogri, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi literature.
He is the author of 32 books in Dogri, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi languages. Some of his notable works have been translated in languages like English, Nepali and Czech.
He is a trend setter in modern Dogri poetry and has introduced several innovative themes and experimented with new styles in his verse.
His yeoman service to the cause of Dogri, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi literature and culture has been recognised by numerous honours and awards conferred on him at the state, national and international levels.
These include prestigious Padmashri award, Sahitya Akademi award, Sahitya Akademi's national award for translation, another national award by the central hindi directorate, prestigious senior fellowship by union ministry of culture, role of honour by the Governor of J&K state, gold medal and certificate of merit by J-K government.
Decorated five times in the year 1985, 1986, 1990, 2004 and 2011 by the J&K state academy of art culture and languages for his best creative literary works.
He is recipient of Duggar Sahitya Ratan Samman from Sonia Gandhi and Dogra Ratan Samman from the governor, J&K state.
