President Murmu Confers 58th Jnanpith Award on Jagadguru Rambhadracharya

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th May: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on renowned Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji at a formal ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan. The prestigious literary honour, instituted by the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust, was also awarded to celebrated poet and lyricist Gulzar, who was unable to attend due to health reasons.

Addressing the gathering, President Murmu extended her heartfelt congratulations to both recipients. She wished Gulzar a speedy recovery and acknowledged his enduring contribution to Indian art, literature, and society.

Highlighting the power of literature to shape and unite society, the President recalled the transformative role poets and writers played during the freedom movement. Referring to the enduring impact of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Vande Mataram, she noted how literary expressions like those of Valmiki, Vyas, Kalidas, and Rabindranath Tagore continue to echo the voice of Indian culture and identity.

Lauding the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust for honouring exemplary writers across Indian languages since 1965, Murmu emphasized the importance of nurturing linguistic diversity and preserving the sanctity of Indian literary traditions. She made special mention of prominent women writers such as Ashapurna Devi, Amrita Pritam, and Mahasweta Devi, urging today’s women to follow their legacy and enrich social consciousness through literature.

In a moving tribute to Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji, the President hailed his life as a beacon of inspiration. Despite being visually impaired, she said, he has made monumental contributions to Sanskrit literature, philosophy, and social welfare. “His life is a shining example of how divine vision can overcome physical limitations,” she said, expressing hope that future generations will draw inspiration from his journey in their pursuit of nation-building.

The Jnanpith Award is India’s highest literary honour, awarded annually to writers who have made outstanding contributions to literature in Indian languages.