- By Talibuddin Khan
- Sat, 11 Oct 2025 02:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Jagran Sahitya Srijan Samman: Celebrating the richness of Hindi literature, Dainik Jagran presented the first-ever Jagran Sahitya Srijan Samman in memory of its former Editor-in-Chief and noted litterateur Late Narendra Mohan. Eminent writer Dr Mahendra Madhukar, author of the acclaimed work "Vakratund", received the top honour from Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah at the Jagran Sahitya Srijan Samman ceremony held in Delhi on Friday.
The event, organised under Dainik Jagran's 'Hindi Hain Hum' campaign, also honoured several leading authors featured in the Jagran Hindi Bestseller list for 2024 across various literary categories.
Amit Shah Honours Dr Mahendra Madhukar
At 86, Dr Madhukar, known for his deeply philosophical and devotional writings, was recognised for his literary contribution through Vakratund, which narrates the divine leelas of Lord Ganesha.
Understanding his physical discomfort, Amit Shah personally stepped down from the stage to felicitate him, draping a shawl, presenting a citation, a memento, and a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh. "You are doing a wonderful job, please continue writing like this." Shah said while congratulating him.
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Dr Madhukar, in his brief address, quoted lines from Dharamvir Bharati and said, "Srijan ki thakan bhool jaa devta" (Forget the fatigue of creation, O creator), Even God is a creator; so is the writer, who finds peace and spiritual fulfilment in creation. I still remain engaged in the act of writing, for as long as you write, read and create, you remain alive."
The selection for the inaugural Jagran Sahitya Srijan Samman was made by a three-member jury comprising lyricist and poet Prasoon Joshi, senior writer Dr Sharan Kumar Limbale, and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Member Secretary Dr Sachchidanand Joshi. The jury unanimously chose Vakratund, published by Rajkamal Prakashan, for the honour.
Jagran Sahitya Srijan Samman: List Of Other Writers Felicitated During The Event
Alongside the main award, several authors whose works made it to the Jagran Hindi Bestseller list for 2024 were also felicitated under the Dainik Jagran Kriti Samman.
- In the Navankur (debut) category, Chandpur Ki Chanda by Atul Kumar Rai (Hind Yugm) received the award.
- In the fiction category, Kailash Manju Bishnoi was honoured for UPSC Wala Love - Collector Sahiba.
- In the non-fiction category, Dr Omendra Ratnu received the award for Maharana: Sahastra Varshon Ka Dharmayudh (Prabhat Prakashan).
- The translation category award went to Akshat Gupta for The Hidden Hindu - Part 1 (Prabhat Prakashan).
- In poetry, Paritosh Tripathi was recognised for his collection Chai Si Mohabbat.
Among the "Uttam Se Sarvottam" category of bestsellers, Piyush Mishra was awarded for Tumhari Aukaat Kya Hai (Rajkamal Prakashan), Maj (Dr) Parshuram Gupta for Bharatvarsh Ke Akrantaon Ki Kalank Kathayein (Prabhat Prakashan), Shakeel Azmi for Vanvaas (Manjul Prakashan), and historian Vikram Sampath for Savarkar: Ek Bhoole Bisre Ateet Ki Goonj (1883-1924) (Penguin). Each awardee received Rs 50,000 in cash and a memento.
Jagran Sahitya Srijan Samman: Voices of the Awardees
Many authors expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dainik Jagran for recognising Hindi writers and giving them a national platform.
Dr Omendra Ratnu, whose book Maharana: Sahastra Varshon Ka Dharmayudh was honoured, said, "Dainik Jagran's efforts to enrich Hindi are commendable and exemplary. It is one newspaper that provides a platform to writers who reveal the truth. Being recognised for my book is deeply satisfying and motivating."
Kailash Manju Bishnoi, author of UPSC Wala Love - Collector Sahiba, remarked, "It is an honour to receive the Dainik Jagran Bestseller Award. This is a meaningful effort to enrich Hindi literature. My heartfelt thanks to Dainik Jagran for this initiative. Such efforts to promote Hindi should be made both by government and non-government institutions."
Shakeel Azmi, whose poetry collection Vanvaas was awarded, said, "My book has been a bestseller for three years now. It’s heartening to see a newspaper organising such a grand event for literature. It will inspire honest poets and writers to keep creating."
Vikram Sampath, honoured for his book on Savarkar, noted, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all fellow awardees. Today, the Home Minister spoke about infiltration and its impact on our democracy and culture, a burning issue indeed. The experience of this event has been wonderful."
Atul Kumar Rai, winner in the debut category, shared, "My novel was ranked second in the Dainik Jagran Bestseller list in December 2023, and later I received the Sahitya Akademi Award. Now, being honoured by Dainik Jagran is special. Such events are essential to encourage young writers entering the literary field."
Maj (Dr) Parshuram Gupta, author of Bharatvarsh Ke Akrantaon Ki Kalank Kathayein, said, "Dainik Jagran is promoting literature and writers. Receiving this honour feels wonderful. Such initiatives act as a tonic for those associated with the field of writing."
Akshat Gupta, author of The Hidden Hindu, remarked, "These days, writers often need to market their books to reach readers, but Dainik Jagran is recognising them instead. This is a remarkable step for the progress of literature, and it feels deeply fulfilling to be honoured."
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Paritosh Tripathi, known both as a performer and poet, shared a nostalgic memory and said, "I remember when my name first appeared in Dainik Jagran back in 2003. My father proudly showed it to his friends, some of whom joked that his son had become a performer, but he never took it seriously. That memory makes today's honour even more emotional for me."
Piyush Mishra, who received the award for Tumhari Aukaat Kya Hai, said, "Being felicitated under Dainik Jagran's 'Hindi Hain Hum' initiative is a great privilege. Before anything else, I bow in respect to Late Narendra Mohan Ji, who was not only a former editor of Dainik Jagran but also a passionate promoter of Hindi literature."