Dr Priyanka Saurab
Narnaul: The first short story collection in the Haryanvi dialect, Mhari Matti, Mhare Akhar, was released at a literary and cultural gathering organised jointly by Manumukt ‘Manav’ Memorial Trust, Narnaul, and Haryana Kala Parishad, Kurukshetra, at the International Cultural Centre ‘Manumukt Bhawan’ here.
Edited by Bhiwani-based litterateur and columnist Dr. Satyawan Saurabh and Dr. Priyanka Saurabh, the book is dedicated to late IPS officer and litterateur Dr. Manumukt ‘Manav’. It comprises 99 short stories—three each by 33 writers from Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh and Auckland, New Zealand.
The event was held to mark the 13th death anniversary of Dr. Manumukt ‘Manav’ and was attended by more than two dozen writers and litterateurs.
Dr. Manoj Kumar Garg, Vice Chancellor of Singhania University, Pacheri Badi, Rajasthan, and former IAS officer, presided over the function. Mahesh Joshi, Vice President of the Haryana Arts Council, was the chief guest, while Padma Shri awardee Dr. Santram Deswal, senior litterateur and educationist, was the special guest.
Photo caption: Dr. Manoj Kumar Garg, IAS, Vice President of Haryana Art Council, Mahesh Joshi, Padmashree Dr. Santram Deswal and litterateur Dr. Ramniwas Manav inaugurated the book.
The dignitaries paid tribute to Dr. Manumukt ‘Manav’ and lauded the Trust’s literary, cultural and social initiatives carried out in his memory.
Litterateurs Sushil Kumar ‘Naveen’ of Tosham and Satyaveer Nahadia of Rewari presented critical remarks on the newly released collection.
The second session featured poetry recitations by Sanjay Pathak, Praveen Pandit, Prof. Jyoti Raj, Rajpal Yadav ‘Raj’, Dr. Mukut Agarwal, Dalbir Singh ‘Phool’, Dr. Jitendra Bhardwaj and Oshin Shukla ‘Sakshi’, drawing applause from the audience.
Trustee Dr. Kanta Bharti said the collection represented an important milestone for Haryanvi literature by bringing together short stories from writers across different regions.
At the conclusion, the organisers honoured the presiding dignitaries and participating litterateurs with the Dr. Manumukt ‘Manav’ Smriti Samman, comprising robes, mementos and certificates.
