SHIMLA -23 March, 2025-Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla presided over the Rajya Samman Samaroh organized by the Himalayan Sahitya Sanskriti Evam Paryavaran Manch in Gaiety Theatre today.

He said that two years ago he had the honour of distributing literary awards to five women writers and to visit the National Book Fair at the Ridge. He said that though he has little knowledge of the literature, yet he prefers to stay connected with them as a writer gives expression to imagination and emotions and describes the deep reality beyond the ordinary or apparent.

The Governor said that the Himalaya Manch is an organization which has been honoring children, senior citizens as well as specially abled writers for their works for the last 15 years and is organizing book fairs and literary festivals by visiting schools and colleges to promote literature. The purpose of the programs organized by Himalaya Manch for children is to motivate children towards literature so that their creative ability develops.

“The Sahitya Rail Yatra dedicated to the working class in the memory of Bhalku who surveyed the Kalka-Shimla heritage railway line is a unique program initiated by this manch” he said.

He said that S.R. Harnot himself is a famous writer as well as a literary and social worker. There are very few writers who encourage the creative work of others with their writings. He congratulate him for all his literary work.

“Literature has been called a reflection of society. Good literature makes our thoughts positive and provides a better direction to the society. But today, due to excessive use of mobile and internet, the habit of reading and writing literature of our youth has almost stopped. The culture of reading books is declining”, he said.

He said that apart from this, the prevalence of drug addiction is increasing in our society and especially in the young generation. These youth are the future of the country and creative literature can play an important role in getting them out of drug addiction. Literature can bring about necessary changes in their thinking and their intellectual level.

He said that it is important that along with the academic courses, literary and cultural programs be organized from time to time in schools, colleges and universities. Involve students in those programs so that self-confidence and creative ability develops within them and they do not go towards drug addiction. Therefore, it is very important that regular book fairs be organized in the state so that the youth's interest in books increases.

He honoured litterateurs Dr. Hemraj Kaushik, Jagdish Bali and Dr. Satyanarayan Snehi for their contribution towards literature.

The President of Himalayan Sahitya Sanskriti Evam Paryavaran Manch SR Harnot highlighted the activities being undertaken by the Manch to promote literature and to motivate young litterateurs.

Senior Professor of Sree Sankracharya Sanskrit University Kaladi, Kerala and other litterateurs were also present on the occasion.