JAMMU: On the eve of Republic Day, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has selected 31 persons for this year’s State Awards in recognition of their contribution in various fields.
G.N Aatish, Dr. Nirmal Vinod and Balraj Bakshi (writer/poet) have been accorded State Awards for their achievement in the field of literature.
Mipham Otsal (Theatre), Jeevan Sharma (Singer), Mehmeet Syed (Singer) and Dhanajay Koul (Singer) have been accorded State Awards for performing Arts. Mohammad Maqbool Jan (Papier mache) has been awarded for excellence in Arts and Crafts.
Sabbah Haji, Director, Haji Public School Breswana, Doda has been awarded for Social Reforms and Empowerment.
Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari IAS, Dr. S. Natrajan, Eye Specialist (Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital Private Limited, Mumbai) and Dr. Tariq Qureshi, Ophthalmologist, GMC, Srinagar have been accorded State Award for meritorious public service.
M. Saleem Beg, Convener, INTACH, J&K/Former Member and Chairperson, National Monuments Authority has been given Life time achievement awards.
Surya Bhanu Partap Singh (Wushu), Tajamul Islam (Kick Boxing), Hashim Mansoor (Karate), Akbar Khan (Cycling), Ishfaq Hussain Kand (Kayaking and Canoeing), Meenal Gupta (Chess), Mipu Jamwal (Judo), Tsering Angmo (Mountaineering), Tasht Laskit (Mountaineenng), Rigzin Dolkar (Mountaineering) and Stanzin Laskit (Mountaineering) have been given State Awards for outstanding sports persons. Manoj Koul, ETV, Neeraj Rohmetra, Daily Excelsior, Tahir Mohi-ud-Din, Chattan Newspaper and Zafar Choudhary, Editor, News Now have been given State Awards as outstanding media persons.
Sonam Wangchuk (Ice Stupa Project Leh) has been accorded State Award for Award for Outstanding Environmentalists Zia Ashai, M/s Supertherm, IE Shalteng (Manufacturer of Kerosene and Gas Bukharies) has been accorded State Award for Outstanding Industrial Entrepreneurship.