Multifaceted Raj Bharti to get 1st Ramesh Mehta Smriti Puraskar

Jammu: Raj Bharti, Educationist, veteran social worker and a promoter of folk culture, art and fine arts in Jammu region has been selected to receive the First Ramesh Mehta Smriti Puraskar (2021). It was informed in a press release issued on behalf of Hindi Sahitya Mandal (HSM) and Pavitra Mehta from Mehta’s family.
The Award comprising of a cash purse of Rs.11000/, a citation and a robe of honour would be conferred on the octogenarian retired teacher who is known for her work through the triple entities known as the Viraj Kala Kendra, Viraj Art Gallery and Viraj Bal Bhawan. The Award established by late Mehta’s family to commemorate his memory will be presented on November 13, 2021 which happens to be his birthday.
Mehta, besides being a Hindi poet, has been the former Secretary of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL), and earlier having served as the Editor of Sheeraza Hindi, the literary magazine of the Academy, had passed away prematurely due to Corona complications on May 31 this year.
The setting up of this Annual Award in the broad realms of arts, culture, Hindi literature- writing, etc, in his memory was announced recently and would be sponsored by Mehta’s family in all its details. The decision to confer the Award has been taken by the standing jury comprising of well known Hindi writers and both retired Principals Prof. Kiran Bakshi and Prof. (Dr.) Chanchal Dogra and Dogri writer, President of Dogri Sanstha and a retired HoD at University of Jammu, Prof. (Dr.) Lalit Magotra.