HIMACHAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017
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 carried the achievements of Himachali personalities who earned a niche in the fields of literature and folk singing due to their outstanding achievements in respective fields. This week finds mention of those personalities who have performed outstandingly in the field of cultural conservation and innovative entrepreneurship.
Culture Promoter Of The Year: Vidyanand Saraik
Citation: Septuagenarian Vidyanand Saraik is a multifaceted personality who has been striving to conserve and revive hilly culture for nearly five decades now. A writer of numerous folk songs, naatis and folklores, he has also promoted hundreds of local artists by bringing albums. Notably, he has also presented Rabinda Nath Tagore’s novel ‘Aank ki kirkiri’ in kariyala style besides translating his 51 poems in Sirmouri dialect.
For his remarkable contribution in the field of folk music, Himachal This Week confers on him Himachal Excellence Award 2017.
Septugenraian Vidyanand Saraik is a multifaceted personality who needs no introduction. He has established many milestones as a poet, lyricist, singer, director and litterateur. Born on June 26, 1941 in Devthi Majhgaon of Rajgarh in Sirmour district. He delivered his first stage performance in village while he was four years old, all due to good moral values instilled by father Ganesha Ram and mother Chunni Devi. He was known for his singing and dancing skills in the entire area during his schooling. He penned down first poem ‘savera’ in class VII and performed excellently at district level in sports, folk dances and stage plays. He started teaching in 1959 but pursued higher education also to attain graduation degree. He wrote first book in pahari ‘Hare juvate’ (1970), followed by ‘chitti chadar’ (1971). He put in sustained efforts to conserve hill culture after he performed in Akhil Bharatiya Lok Sangeet Sammelan in 1957. Saraik was inspired by Himachal’s founder chief minister Dr. YS Parmar and Surat Singh of Rajgarh. As a result, he has written hundreds of pahari songs besides promoting pahari artists. Since 2002, Saraik, has been working on numerous schemes besides training pahari artists as director Chureshawar Loknritya Sanskritick Sangh. He has done commendable work in conserving hill culture of Baralthu, Sinhtu, Thoda, kariyala, alyanti, dev pooja, panjre and others. He presented Rabondra Nath Tagore’ novel ‘Aank ki kirkiri’ in kariyala style in the form of Aankhi re khadkan’ besides translating Tagore’ 51 poems in Sirmouri dialect. A recipient of numerous awards, Saraik recently received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in folk music from President of India.
He is striving to conserve hill culture and restoring its glory. Over a dozen famous naatis written by Saraik are sung in different parts of the state. Credit for conserving and popularising ‘dhili naati’ also goes to Vidyanand Saraik. He is instrumental in reviving almost distinct hilly culture through folklores.
-By Rajesh Kamal/Rajgarh
Innovative Entrepreneur Of The Year: Varun Rattan Singh
Citation: Hailing from Dharamshala, Varun Rattan Singh has taken initiative to strengthen commercial relations between India and America. He has also linked Himachali youths with employment through Digital India campaign through his Development Logics Company. Besides promoting Kangra miniature painting, Varun is providing Internet and Wi-Fi facilities at village level.
For his remarkable contribution in innovative entrepreneurship, Himachal This Week confers on him Himachal Excellence Award 2017.
Hailing from Dharamshala, Varun Rattan Singh has taken initiative to strengthen commercial relations between India and USA. He is working on creating employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh by collaborating with American businessmen. In addition, he has linked Himachali youths with employment through Digital India by establishing Development Logics Company. Having an engineering degree, Varun had employment opportunities overseas but he preferred to work in Himachal for generating employment opportunities. He has also established Kangra Art Promotion Society for reviving and promoting Kangra miniature paintings. The organisation has been promoting different artists by prividing them a platform for the past one decade. Born on February 9, 1981, Varun’s wife Shilpa Jain is also co-founder of Development Logics Company. After his schooling from Dharamshala, Varun acquired a degree in engineering from North Maharashtra University and MBA from Institute of Rural Management, Anand in Gujarat. After a tragic accident in which he lost his father, Varun decided to explore new employment opportunities in Himachal. He has also started Global Shapers Chapter, currently being run in few Indian cities, in Dharamshala. To make Digital India movement as success, he is also providing Internet and Wi-Fi facilities at village level. In addition, he is linking main institutes of the town with Internet facilities besides handling the work of exporting the services to global consumers. He has also been inducted in Confederation of Indian Industry as a member from Himachal. In addition, Varun has also got a place in IIT, Mandi’s incubator catalysts Board of Governor. He has also represented India at World Economic Forum held in Geneva in 2015
-By Pawan Sharma/Dharamshala
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