The Punjabi poet, Surjit Pãtar, is to be conferred with Padma Shri Award in the field of Literature and Education – Poetry by the Government of India. Besides Pãtar, two more Punjabis Dr. Lokesh Kumar Singhal in the field of science and technology and Dharmendra, film actor, have been honoured with Padma award.

Pãtar, who appeared on the Punjabi poetry scene in the 1960s, always speaks to the audience in a friendly manner about his poetic journey. “My poetry depicts the struggle of mankind, Punjabi culture and emotions. The award comes as recognition of my struggle in the field of poetry of Punjabi culture,” said Pãtar. Darshan Khatkar, poet and Maoist leader, calls him ‘a poet having amazing creativity and versatility.’

Born in Sahnewal near Ludhiana, Dharmendra [Singh Deol] has appeared in not less than 250 Hindustani-language films as of 2011. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindustani cinema and also another Lifetime achievement Award at the 2007 IIFA Awards. He was also a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India, representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan representing the right wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The awards will be conferred by the President of India at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in March. Padma Awards are India’s highest civilian awards. Every year on Republic Day on recommendation of state governments and major political parties, these are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are given in all disciplines, fields of activities like art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.