Sensitivity towards the common people is the foremost requirement of our times: Tarun Shridhar
Munish Sood
MANDI:
Chhoti Kashi on Thursday paid rich tributes to senior journalist, educationist and noted scholar of literature and art, late Hemkant Katyayan, on his 83rd birth anniversary. A commemorative felicitation ceremony was organised at the auditorium of Saraswati Vidya Mandir in Mandi where four distinguished personalities from the fields of journalism, literature, and music were honoured for their outstanding contributions.
The programme, titled Aadar Anjali 2.0, was organised by the Late Hemkant Katyayan Memorial Trust. Former Mandi Deputy Commissioner and currently Director General of the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture, Tarun Shridhar, attended the event as the chief guest. Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan and Mandi Mayor Virendra Bhatt Sharma were present as special guests.
On behalf of the Memorial Trust, Tarun Shridhar conferred the Journalism Inspiration Award on senior journalist Krishna Bhanu for his exemplary contribution to the profession. KK Nutan was honoured for his work in the field of literature. In the domain of music and fine arts, the award was conferred posthumously on the founder of Sangeet Sadan, Mandi, late Piyush Swami, while Umesh Bhardwaj, his disciple and the present director of Sangeet Sadan, was also felicitated.
Addressing the gathering, Tarun Shridhar said that Mandi possesses a unique magnetic charm that continues to draw him back. “I find it strange when I am introduced as a guest here, because I consider myself a resident of Mandi,” he remarked. Recalling his tenure as Deputy Commissioner, he described Hemkant Katyayan as a fearless, impartial, incisive and deeply sensitive journalist. Although Katyayan is no longer among us, Shridhar said, his family and the Memorial Trust have ensured that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
He observed that journalism once enjoyed great dignity and public trust, but the profession today is undergoing rapid change. In the era of social media, he noted, the easy availability of digital platforms has blurred professional boundaries. While acknowledging that many journalists continue to uphold high standards, he cautioned against the growing tendency to compromise depth and responsibility in the race to present novelty. Sensitivity towards the concerns of the common people, he emphasised, remains the true essence of journalism.
Welcoming the guests, Nirmala Katyayan, president of the Hemkant Katyayan Memorial Trust, said the Trust organises the Aadar Anjali ceremony every year to honour eminent contributors in the fields of journalism, literature and fine arts, thereby keeping alive Hemkant Katyayan’s ideals and values.
Senior journalist, litterateur and Trust vice-president Murari Sharma said that while Hemkant Katyayan’s journalistic persona was widely recognised, his contribution extended far beyond journalism. He was a keen observer of folk life, a committed cultural worker and a sensitive creative writer who authored six significant books on history and culture, making a lasting contribution to Himachal’s intellectual heritage.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said that Tarun Shridhar has consistently guided young administrative officers with his experience and insight. He added that Mandi has a vibrant literary and cultural ecosystem, with local institutions regularly organising high-quality cultural programmes.
The ceremony also featured a series of cultural performances. Students of Saraswati Vidya Mandir presented engaging programmes, while artists from Sangeet Sadan enthralled the audience with classical and folk music. A theatrical adaptation of Mahathag, a folk tale written by Hemkant Katyayan, was staged by the Himachal Cultural Research Institute and Rangmandal Satohal, receiving wide appreciation from the audience.
Among those present on the occasion were Trust convener Siddharth Katyayan, vice-president Murari Sharma, treasurer Birbal Sharma, members Nisha Katyayan, Dharam Chand Verma, Purushottam Sharma, Bhagat Singh Guleria, Chairman of the Jal Prabandhan Board Shashi Sharma, Mayor Virendra Bhatt, renowned theatre director Suresh Sharma, District Language Officer Revati Saini, noted singer Shukla Sharma, Prof Ramesh Ravi.
