Jnanpith Award conferred on Gulzar, Rambhadracharya

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru

Rambhadracharya

and renowned poet-lyricist Gulzar for 2023 at a function here.Gulzar could not attend the award ceremony due to health-related issues. Murmu congratulated the 90-year-old and wished he soon becomes fully healthy and active and continues to contribute to art, literature, society and the country.Speaking about his contributions, the President said, “Gulzar sahab has kept alive his devotion towards literary creation for decades. It can be said that Gulzar sahab is a writer who has established tenderness amidst harshness. He has been awarded for his outstanding contribution to

Indian literature

and the world of Urdu writing”.He had received

Sahitya Akademi Award

in 2002, Padma Bhushan in 2004 and

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

in 2013.

Rambhadracharya, 75, founder and head of

Tulsi Peeth

in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, educator and writer. The Sanskrit scholar was given a citation plaque, a cash prize and a bronze replica of Vagdevi Saraswati. His citations highlighted that he has written more than 240 books and four epics among numerous other literary achievements. He had received

Padma Vibhushan

in 2015.Hindi author Vinod Kumar Shukla has been named recipient of the 59th Jnanpith Award for 2024.