Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): The Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, presented the first Maharaja Dahir Sen Sapta Sindhu Lifetime Award to Nirmal Thakur at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan in Shimla.
The award, organized by the Sapta Sindhu Foundation Delhi, recognized Nirmal Thakur’s exceptional contribution to education, literature, and social life.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla commended the Sapta Sindhu Foundation for instituting the award in honour of Maharaja Dahir Sen, a figure of historical significance. He noted, “Sapta Sindhu is also mentioned in the Vedas. It is a vast region of seven rivers, out of which four rivers Sutlej, Beas, Chenab, and Ravi flow through Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, Himachal is called the Dev Bhoomi of the Sapta Sindhu region,” said Shiv Pratap Shukla.
The Governor expressed pride that Himachal Pradesh was chosen as the venue for the presentation of the inaugural Sapta Sindhu Award.
Reflecting on Maharaja Dahir Sen’s legacy, Shukla remarked, “This award is being given in the name of Sindhu Naresh Maharaja Dahir Sen, who never compromised against the invaders and sacrificed his life for the country.” he added.
He lamented the lack of recognition for such a notable historical figure, stating, “Such a great person was not given a proper place in history.” He expressed hope that the award would encourage historians to revisit and honour Maharaja Dahir Sen’s contributions.
The Governor also highlighted the accomplishments of Nirmal Thakur, emphasizing her lifelong dedication to education in Himachal Pradesh. “Her honour is the honour of the people of the entire state,” he said.
“Today, the students taught by her are in high positions in many fields. The biggest honour for any teacher is their students. When the students taught by them progress in various fields of life, their teachers get twice as much happiness from them.” Shukla added.
He further noted her contributions to literature, mentioning her renowned poetry collections, ‘Realm of Thoughts’ and ‘Understanding of Life’, which have made a significant impact on the literary scene of Himachal Pradesh. “Her poems are emotional and express various aspects of life philosophy,” he observed, commending her continued active involvement in social work, even at the age of around 90.
In her acceptance speech, Nirmal Thakur expressed her gratitude to the Governor and the Foundation. She shared that receiving the award had given her renewed motivation, stating, “Receiving this award has further boosted my morale and has encouraged me to strengthen the power of my pen as a writer.” She also emphasized the importance of family support, saying, “For the success of your goal in life, you need the support and strength of your family at every step, and I consider myself fortunate that I get it in abundance.”
Thakur attributed her achievements to her late husband, Justice H.S. Thakur, a former judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, who inspired her literary pursuits.
Earlier in the event, Prof. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, President of the Sapta Sindhu Foundation, welcomed the Governor and provided insights into the Foundation’s work and the significance of the Sapta Sindhu Samman. Dr Arun Kumar Sharma from Himachal Pradesh Central University delivered the vote of thanks.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Justice Suresh Thakur, Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and C.P. Verma, Secretary to the Governor.
