The Union Higher Education Ministry has recently made the decision to discontinue the prestigious ‘Shiksha Puraskar,’ an award that was initiated by the Central government in 1992 with the aim of encouraging original writings in Hindi. This move is part of the Union Home Ministry’s broader effort to rationalize and streamline various awards instituted by the Central government. Additionally, another significant award known as the ‘Hinditar Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puraskar,’ which honored writers from non-Hindi speaking regions for their contributions to Hindi literature, has also been discontinued.
The ‘Shiksha Puraskar’ was a highly regarded accolade that recognized outstanding achievements in Hindi writing. Each year, five deserving writers were selected to receive the award, which carried a substantial cash prize of ₹1 lakh. This recognition not only provided financial support to the recipients but also served as a significant platform to promote their work and contribute to the growth of Hindi literature.
Similarly, the ‘Hinditar Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puraskar’ played a crucial role in promoting Hindi writings by authors from regions where Hindi is not the primary language. It celebrated their efforts to contribute to Hindi literature despite linguistic and cultural challenges. This award carried a cash prize of ₹50,000 and aimed to encourage writers from diverse linguistic backgrounds to embrace and enrich the Hindi language through their creative works.
The discontinuation of these awards has sparked various reactions within the literary community and among language enthusiasts. While some individuals believe that the rationalization of awards is necessary to streamline government initiatives and resources, others view it as a setback for Hindi literature and its promotion.
Critics argue that such awards played a pivotal role in nurturing and encouraging talented writers, especially those from non-Hindi speaking areas who faced additional barriers due to language differences. These awards provided them with a platform for recognition and appreciation, boosting their confidence and inspiring them to continue their creative endeavors.
Furthermore, the ‘Shiksha Puraskar’ and the ‘Hinditar Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puraskar’ symbolized the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting linguistic diversity and cultural unity across India. By discontinuing these awards, some fear that the government’s efforts to foster a sense of linguistic harmony and inclusivity might be diminished.
However, it is important to note that the decision to discontinue these awards is part of a broader effort to rationalize various awards instituted by the Central government. The aim is to streamline and optimize resources, ensuring that the government’s initiatives are more effectively implemented and reach a wider audience. The Union Home Ministry, responsible for this rationalization process, believes that it will lead to better utilization of funds and resources, resulting in more impactful initiatives overall.
While the discontinuation of the ‘Shiksha Puraskar’ and the ‘Hinditar Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puraskar’ may disappoint many writers and language enthusiasts, it remains to be seen how the government plans to channel its resources and support to promote Hindi literature and linguistic diversity in other ways. It is hoped that alternative measures will be introduced to continue the encouragement and recognition of talented writers in Hindi, particularly those from non-Hindi speaking areas, and that the government’s commitment to promoting literature and language will remain unwavering.