New Delhi
Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, a well-known literary figure of Jammu and Kashmir and India’s first woman chairperson of a State Waqf Board, was today honoured with the Harmony India Special Award for her social and intellectual contribution.
Receiving the award Andrabi said, “this award will always be special for me because it is given by the people who are committed to harmony and brotherhood.”
The 8th Harmony India Awards organized by Harmony Cultural Foundation also honoured 17 others for their outstanding contribution to visual arts, literature, music, acting, sports, journalism, social work, and community service.
Prof Ratan Lal Shant was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of Kashmiri literature and language at the ceremony.
Theatre and film actor MK Raina was awarded the National Emblem Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of acting and direction.
Apart from these, Jitendra Singh Shunti, Virinder Patwari, Rajendra Tiku, Brij Kishori Zutshi, Pooja Shali, Jatinder Singh, Kuldeep Handu, Nirmala Dhar, Sumeet Bhat, Manoj Bhat, Namrata Haku, Surendra, Nalini Sadhu, Pallavi Sareen, and Sunanda were also honored.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by Dr. Sudhir K. Sopory, former Vice Chancellor of JNU.
Nirupama Kotru, IRS was the chief guest while Prof. Aparna Sopory, Bollywood actor Kuldeep Sareen, Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra, Dr. Ashwini Pandita, Swami Nand Lal Hospital, Santoor player Abhay Sopori, Dr. Rajendra Dhar Judge, were the chief guests.
Bhawna Pandita (Asha Foundation), Mushtaq Ali Ahmed (Actor and Director) were the special guests.
The jury of Harmony India Awards included Veer Munshi and Ravinder Kaul. A special film on the life of Santoor player and composer Padmashri Pandit Bhajan Sopori was screened at the function.
The first Pandit Bhajan Sopori Memorial Award was presented to legendary Kashmiri singer Shamima Dev Azad.
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.webp "Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal")
.webp "Prime Minister Narendra Modi")
