Gangtok: As the Himalayan state gears up for the 211th Bhanu Jayanti on July 13, Sikkim has officially released the list of luminaries set to be felicitated for their exceptional contributions across various cultural and literary domains.
The annual celebration, commemorating the birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya, the revered first poet of the Nepali language and the translator of the Ramayana into Nepali, serves as a cornerstone for reinforcing the Nepali-speaking community’s connection to their rich linguistic, literary, and spiritual heritage.
This year’s prestigious Bhanu Award will be conferred upon Mr. Shankardev Dhakal, a name synonymous with profound insights into Nepali literature and a lifelong commitment to its propagation. Mr. Dhakal will be honoured with a copper plaque, a traditional shawl, a certificate of appreciation, and a cash prize of Rs 51,000, recognising his invaluable contributions.
Beyond the Bhanu Award, the state government has also announced the recipients of the Bhasha Gaurav Samman and Sevashree Samman, categories designed to acknowledge significant efforts in diverse linguistic and cultural spheres. Under the Bhasha Gaurav Samman, Pushpa Choden Thomas Lepcha will be lauded for her exemplary work in Lepcha language and literature, while Hissey Ringzing Bhutia will be recognised for his dedicated efforts in Bhutia language and literature.
The Sevashree Samman, which honours distinguished service in specific cultural fields, sees Abhinarayan Mishra and Mrs. Chandra Rai receiving the Language Service Honour. Wangdi Chhiring Lama will be celebrated for his Literature Service Honour, CB Gurung for Music Service Honour, and Pushparaj Adhikari for Drama Service Honour. In the realm of media, Dilliram Dulal will be presented with the Journalism Service Honour, while Paras Rai will be acknowledged for Painting Service Honour, and Kiran Lama for Dance Service Honour. Each awardee has undeniably played a pivotal role in safeguarding and promoting the vibrant tapestry of Sikkim’s languages, traditions, and artistic expressions.
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