Dehradun, March 30 Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the state's highest literary honor, the Uttarakhand Sahitya Bhushan Award, to veteran litterateur Dr. Jiten Thakur on Monday.
Dr. Thakur, along with other prominent literary figures, was felicitated at the 'Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman Ceremony-2025', held here.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhami expressed his immense pride in honoring the state's distinguished litterateurs.
He remarked that the sacred land of the state – a place where the Himalayas, the Ganges, and the natural beauty of the region have inspired countless writers and poets – has served as a hub of knowledge, culture, and creativity for centuries.
Dhami cited the contributions of literary stalwarts such as Sumitranandan Pant, Gaura Pant "Shivani," Mohan Upreti, and Shailesh Matiyani.
He announced that, with the aim of developing the state into a hub for literary tourism, two "Sahitya Grams" (literary villages) are being established within the state, where litterateurs will be provided with modern amenities.
Reiterating the state government's commitment to the preservation and promotion of literature and culture, he noted that, in addition to honoring litterateurs through various awards, the government is also providing grants for the publication of books.
Dhami stated that literature serves as a mirror of society, and writers are not merely creators of words but also guides and inspirers of society.
He highlighted the pivotal role played by litterateurs during the freedom struggle and in the formation of the state of Uttarakhand.
During the event, Dr. Buddhinath Mishra, Shyam Singh Kutaula, Dr. Pritam Singh, Kesar Singh Rai, and Ata-e-Sabir Afzal Manglauri were honored with the 'Uttarakhand Long-term Outstanding Literary Creation Award'.