Patiala, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Language Department on Monday announced the inaugural Surjit Patar Student Award, instituted by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann in memory of eminent Punjabi poet and Padma Shri awardee Surjit Patar.
The award has been conferred on Surkhab, a school student from Ludhiana district, for the poetry collection ‘Vaitarni’.
Director of Languages Punjab Jaswant Singh Zafar said books in all literary genres had been invited from student writers for the award. However, all the entries received this year were poetry collections.
The submitted works were evaluated by three assessors nominated by the department, following which Surkhab’s ‘Vaitarni’, written by the native of Ghudani Kalan in Ludhiana district, was adjudged the best entry.
The award will be presented to Surkhab at the inaugural function of Punjabi Month, scheduled to be organised by the Language Department in November. The honour carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, along with a departmental shawl and plaque.
Zafar said the award was aimed at encouraging student writers and strengthening the connection between the younger generation and literature. He said the quality of the winning work and the effort reflected in its creative process demonstrated the growing interest among young people in literary expression.
Congratulating Surkhab, Zafar also praised the student’s parents and teachers for their support and contribution to the young writer’s development.
The Surjit Patar Student Award was established by the Punjab government to honour the legacy of the late poet and encourage literary creativity among school students.
Photo: Surkhab with the book ‘Vaitarni’.
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