Chandigarh: With a view to encourage litterateurs in the state, the governing council of the Haryana Sahitya Akademi has decided to increase the amount of the Sur Puruskar from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh and double the amount of the Pt Lakhmi Chand Samman Puruskar to Rs 1 lakh.

The information was given by Haryana education minister Mange Ram Gupta yesterday at a meeting of the governing council to decide the amount of the cash prizes.

Mr. Gupta said, "The council decided to institute the Haryana Sahitya Ratan Samman under which a cash award of Rs 2 lakh would be given for the lifetime achievement of a litterateur hailing from Haryana."

In addition to this, a new award of Rs.21, 000 has been instituted which will be given to individual for his/her contribution in the field of translating a book.

Gupta also announced cash awards of Rs 3,000, Rs 2,500 and Rs 2,000 for an outstanding story or poem to students at the college level; also three separate awards to be given to girls for the same purpose. These three awards for girls would be of Rs 5,000, Rs 4,000 and Rs 3,000, respectively.

The council also decided to establish a pathak manch at the district level to promote literary and cultural activities in the rural areas.

Among other initiatives, the council decided to introduce two research fellowships for intensive research in folk literature and cultural heritage. Also, for the first time, a directory of writers would also be brought out soon. IANS

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