Srinagar, July 15: Manzoor Ahmad Dar, Editor-in-Chief of the Awami Etilaat English Weekly Newspaper, was honoured with the prestigious Lal Ded National Literary Award by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha during a distinguished literary ceremony held at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
The event also featured the release of Lal Ded: The Mother of Kashmir, authored by Dr. Vaidehi Taman, paying tribute to the timeless wisdom and spiritual legacy of the revered Kashmiri saint-poet Lal Ded. The programme brought together eminent scholars, writers, and cultural personalities from across the country to celebrate Kashmir’s rich literary and cultural heritage.
Several distinguished personalities were felicitated on the occasion for their outstanding contributions to literature, culture, and the preservation of Kashmir’s civilizational heritage. Among the recipients were Commodore (Retd.) D.S. Sodhi and Ravinder Pandita, Chairman of the Save Sharda Committee.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Manzoor Ahmad Dar thanked the organisers for recognising his work and for promoting the universal message of peace, wisdom, and harmony embodied by Lal Ded. He also stressed the importance of establishing a dedicated Lal Ded Library to preserve her literary legacy, encourage research, and inspire future generations to explore Kashmir’s rich intellectual and spiritual traditions.
The ceremony was attended by several eminent dignitaries, including former Rajya Sabha Member Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, renowned writer Neerja Mattoo, distinguished scholars, authors, and prominent guests from different parts of the country
