In a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan today, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, conferred the prestigious 58th Jnanpith Award on renowned Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.
Congratulating the awardee, the President lauded his exemplary contribution to Indian literature and society, emphasizing how his life’s work has become a beacon of inspiration, especially given his extraordinary achievements despite physical challenges. She noted his “divine vision” and unwavering service to both literary excellence and social upliftment.
The President also extended her congratulations to Gulzar, co-recipient of the award, who could not attend the function due to health reasons. She wished him a swift recovery and continued creative contributions.
In her speech, the President celebrated the unifying power of literature, referencing historic figures such as Valmiki, Vyas, Kalidas, and Rabindranath Tagore, and highlighted the enduring spirit of literary icons who shaped India’s cultural and national consciousness.
She praised the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust for its dedication to honoring literary luminaries in diverse Indian languages since 1965 and highlighted the transformative voices of past women awardees like Amrita Pritam, Mahadevi Verma, and Mahasweta Devi.
