President Droupadi Murmu Presents 58th Jnanpith Award To Sanskrit Scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya

President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious 58th Jnanpith Award to eminent Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday.

The award, considered one of India’s highest literary honours, recognises Rambhadracharya’s outstanding contributions to classical literature and cultural thought.

The President also extended warm congratulations to celebrated poet Gulzar, who shares the honour this year but could not attend the ceremony due to health reasons.

Wishing him a speedy recovery, she hoped he would soon return to his literary pursuits and continue enriching the nation through art, literature, and culture.

Literature As  Unifier of Society

In her address, President Murmu emphasised the unifying power of literature.

She reflected on the vital role writers and poets have played throughout Indian history, from the social reform movements of the 19th century to the freedom struggle of the 20th century.

“Literature connects society and fosters awareness,” she said, citing the example of Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. “For nearly 150 years, this iconic song has awakened the spirit of Mother India’s children—and will continue to do so.”

She lauded timeless voices such as Valmiki, Vyasa, Kalidasa, and Rabindranath Tagore, stating that their works resonate with the heartbeat of India and express the true voice of Indian identity.

President Murmu paid special tribute to women recipients of the Jnanpith Award. She highlighted the contributions of literary giants such as Ashapurna Devi, Amrita Pritam, Mahadevi Verma, Qurratulain Hyder, Mahasweta Devi, Indira Goswami, Krishna Sobti, and Pratibha Ray.

“These remarkable women perceived Indian society and tradition with deep sensitivity. Their contributions have greatly enriched Indian literature,” she noted.

Urging young women to draw inspiration from them, she encouraged greater female participation in literature and cultural discourse.

The President described Jagadguru Rambhadracharya as a symbol of excellence and perseverance.

Despite his physical disability, he has made extraordinary contributions to literature and social welfare through his ‘divine vision’ and dedication.

She praised his dual role as a literary luminary and a social reformer, expressing confidence that future generations would draw inspiration from his life and continue advancing the cause of literature, society, and nation-building.

In closing, President Murmu commended the Indian Jnanpith Trust for upholding the award’s legacy since 1965 by recognising the finest literary minds across Indian languages.

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