HIMACHAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016

Rajiv K. Phull

In our endeavour to honour different personalities of the state and salute their devotion in their respective fields of specialisation, Himachal This Week had carried achievements of Himachali producer and director Ajay Saklani whose film ‘Saanjh’ in Himachali language has won two awards in global competitions. Hailing from Sihan village near Dharampur in Mandi district, he has established Silent Hill Studio in Hamirpur after completing his post graduation in Mass Communication.

This week finds the mention of three personalities Kangra Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Gandhi as Administrator of the Year and Murari Sharma of Mandi as Writer of the Year. In addition, octogenarian Jai Kumar Sharma of Bilaspur has been chosen for Lifetime Achievement Award 2016. All three distinguished personalities have performed outstandingly in their respective fields.

Administrator Of The Year: Sanjiv Gandhi, SP, Kangra

Citation: Presently posted as Superintendent of Police, Kangra, Sanjiv Gandhi believes that every work should be taken as a mission to take it to the logical end. He has created a huge difference through small initiatives to demolish the drugs cartel through his administrative skills. In addition, his initiative ‘No helmet No Petrol’ has brought down the number of fatal accidents involving youths almost to neglegible in Kangra district

For his outstanding administrative skills to bring about remarkable changes in policing in Kangra district, Himachal This Week confers on him Himachal Excellence Award 2016.

Born in 1973, HPS Sanjiv Gandhi completed his schooling from DAV High School, Shimla. He started practicing at High Court after completing law studies. However, Sanjiv Gandhi was selected in the state Police Services and has served at different posts in different places. He always had a desire to make his own path rather than treading the traditional approach. Capable of creating a huge difference through small initiatives, Sanjiv Gandhi, presently posted as Superintendent of Police, Kangra, has emerged as a role model due to his administrative capabilities. His efforts have been fruitful in demolishing the drug cartel to a great extent prevalent in Kangra district. His first initiative was to make wearing of helmet compulsory for two wheeler drivers to put a check on the number of fatal accidents occurring in the area. His initiative ‘No helmet No petrol’ is a big hit. Since then, the number of fatal accidents involving youths is almost negligible in the district. Next in line of his firing range were drug peddlers who had spread tentacles across the district to allure youths. The drive not only led to nabbing of dozens of those supplying drugs through a chain of small roadside kiosks in the district but also helped in curbing roadside drinking. Hundred of cases have been registered against persons involved in trafficking of drugs. He marshaled his team of cops judiciously as Sanjiv Gandhi believes that every work should be taken as a mission to take it to the logical end.

Writer Of The Year : Murari Sharma, Mandi

Citation: Hailing from Malwana village in Mandi district, Murari Sharma is an established writer having many books to his credit. He considered folk tales narrated by grand parents as stories in childhood. His writings reflect folk culture, different problems and situation faced by people in the society. Not only his stories have been acclaimed at different platforms but they have also been staged.

For his outstanding contribution in the field of literature and promotion of folk culture, Himachal This Week confers on him Himachal Excellence Award 2016.

Hailing from simple farming family, Murari Sharma was born on January 26, 1962 in Malwana village of Mandi district. However, he had a liking for writing since his early days and his stories, poems and articles have been published in various newspapers and magazines including Hans, Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya, Wagarth, Kadambini, Vipasha Himprastha and others. In childhood, a story for Murari Sharma meant a folk tales narrated by grand parents while sitting in front of the chuhla in house during winter months. The story tellers in those days were called Kissago, kathapari who were capable of carving out stories one after the other. They only wanted hunkara (consent) from the listeners. Murari also traded the same path with a view to remain connected with the ground realities. He gets motivation from every writer as his stories revolve around happenings in the society. These include various problems and situations faced by every human being in this fast changing world. His writings have also found place in Doordarshan and Akashwani broadcasts. Apart from his association with folk culture organisations and people’s organisation, his writings involve folk culture and topical situations. Some of his stories have also been translated in English, Marathi and Gujarati. He also received Sahitya Samman from Himachal Art, Culture and Language Academy for his story ‘Baanmuth’ in 2016.  Murari Sharma has two books on collection of stories besides another based on folk theatre Banthra. His stories, folk writings have also been been staged not only in Himachal but in other states also.

-By Aman Agnihotri/Mandi

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