Bengaluru (Karnataka), May 13 (H.S.): The renowned Bengaluru-based Hindi writers' organization 'Shabd' has invited entries for its two annual awards instituted for excellence in literary writing and the promotion of Hindi. The first award is the ₹1 lakh 'Agyeya Shabd Srijan Samman'. This honor is conferred on one eminent litterateur from the country. The second award, worth ₹25,000, is the 'Dakshina Bharat Shabd Hindi Sevi Samman'. It is bestowed upon one distinguished Hindi sevak for notable contributions to the promotion of Hindi language and literature in South India. 'Shabd' President Dr. Srin Narayan Sameer shared this information in a press release issued today.

According to the release, selection for the 'Agyeya Shabd Srijan Samman - 2026' will be made through transparent evaluation of the literary contributions of recommended writers, based on nominations from eminent litterateurs, editors, scholars, and publishing institutions across the country, focusing on their works published in the past three years (2023 to 2025). The proposed entry must include the writer's name and contact details (including mobile number and email ID), details of the book published in the past three years along with its salient features (publisher's name and address, including mobile/phone/email ID), and a brief description of the writer's overall contributions (maximum 200 words). It is mandatory to send four copies of the relevant book along with the entry.

For the 'Dakshina Bharat Shabd Hindi Sevi Samman - 2026', the eligible Hindi sevak will be selected from among Hindi sevaks/creators residing in South India. The selection will be from names recommended by eminent litterateurs, editors, scholars, and distinguished citizens in public life from South India. The basis will be transparent evaluation of the individual's contributions to the development and promotion of Hindi, along with their achievements in recent years. Recommendations/entries must reach the address: ''President: Shabd, B-8/403, Shriram Spandan, Chelghatta, Bengaluru-560037'' by June 30, 2026.

According to 'Shabd' President Dr. Sameer, the trust of Bengaluru's literary community in the 'Shabd' literary organization is evident from the fact that the expenses for the 'Agyeya Shabd Srijan Samman' are borne by the renowned Bengaluru-based philanthropist and great modern poet-writer Sachchidananda Hirananda Vatsyayan Agyeya literature enthusiast 'Shri Babulal Gupta Foundation'. The expenses for the 'Dakshina Bharat Shabd Hindi Sevi Samman' are covered by the major Hindi daily newspaper 'Dakshina Bharat Rashtramat' published from Bengaluru and Chennai. The remaining expenses are borne voluntarily by 'Shabd' members. The Shabd Awards were launched in the organization's historic silver jubilee year 2022. The series of monthly creative workshops and annual events has continued uninterrupted since the organization's founding on July 13, 1997.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar