STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The 8th Edition of the Harmony India Awards function was organized by Harmony Cultural Foundation in which 18 awardees were felicitated for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields including Visual Art, Literature, Music, Acting, Sports, Journalism, Social Work, Community Services.
Harmony India Special Award for this year was conferred upon eminent politician & writer Dr Darakhshan Andrabi for her social and intellectual contribution. Dr Andrabi while receiving the award said that she felt like standing at her maternal home and mentioned that this award will always remain special to her as she receives it from her own people who are committed with missionary zeal for harmony and brotherhood. The Lifetime achievement award was conferred upon Prof Rattan Lal Shant for his outstanding contributions in field of Kashmiri Literature and Language. National Icon Award was presented to M K Raina for his outstanding contribution in the field of Acting & Direction. Others who were presented awards included Jitender Singh Shunty, Veerinder Patwari, Rajendar Tiku, Brij Kishori Zutshi, Pooja Shali, Jatinder Singh, Kuldeep Handoo, Nirmala Dhar, Sumeet Bhat, Manoj Bhat, Namrata Hakhoo, Surender, Nalini Sadhu, Pallavi Sareen and Sunanda Khajuria.
The award ceremony was held at Shri Ram Centre, Mandi House, New Delhi and began with lighting of lamp by Guests of Honour Dr Sudhir K Sopory (Indian educationist, Eminent Scientist and former Vice chancellor of JNU), Shah Faesal (Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture), Veer Munshi (Eminent Visual Artist), Ravinder Kaul (Journalist & Art Critic) followed by Saraswati Vandana.
Nirupama Kotru, IRS was the Chief Guest while Prof Aparna Sopori, Bollywood Actor Kuldeep Sareen, Pt Vijay Shankar Mishra, Dr Ashwani Pandita (MD, Swami Nand Lal Hospital), Santoor Maestro Abhay Sopori, Dr Rajender Dhar (Judge, Consumer Court), Bhavna Pandita (Asha Foundation), Mushtaq Ali Ahmed (Actor & Director) were the special guests. Jury of Harmony India Awards includes Veer Munshi and Ravinder Kaul. A special film screening on life of Santoor Maestro & Music Composer Padmashri Pt Bhajan Sopori was showcased followed by first Pt Bhajan Sopori Smriti Samman which was conferred upon Shameem Dev Azad.