Editor’s note, Ahmedabad, 23 May 2013
Gujarati Sahitya Academy(GSA – established in 1982) functions under Gujarat government’s Youth, Cultural activities and Sports department. GSA honors Gujarati authors every year with an award called Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar. Since 1984, so far 120 authors are honored with Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar – the highest award in the field of Gujarati literature so far as government is concerned. On non-governmental front, the highest award is Gujarat Vidyasabha’s Ranjitram Suvarna chandrak.

A list of authors who are honored with Gujarat Gaurav Pursakar so far includes Sundaram, Umashankar Joshi(who didn’t accept it), Pannalal Patel, Snehrashmi, Chanchi Mehta, Harivallabh Bahayani, Nagindas Parekh, Rajendra Shah, Niranjan Bhagat, Gulabdas Broker, Keka Shastri, Makrand Dave, Manubhai Pancholi (Darshak), Natwarlal Pandya(Ushnas), Raghuvir Chaudhary, Labhshankar Thakar, Bholabhai Patel, Vinod Bhatt, Dr. Chandrakant Sheth, Varsha Adalaja among others.

Yesterday’s function, organized by GSA honored Shri Taarak Mehta and Shri Bhagwatikumar Sharma in Ahmedabad. Unfortunately, the function had very poor attendance. The auditorium had maximum attendance of relatives and personal well-wishers of those honored.It was shame for people of Gujarat that such veteran authors were receiving the highest honor in the field of literature by state government, and the auditorium was only partially occupied. But can we blame the people of Gujarat only?

So here are some suggestions for minister Ramanbhai Vora:

The government should club this event with the Amdavad book fair from next year. During the recently concluded book fair in Amdavad, each evening-time literary event was fully attended.

The Gujarat Gaurav award event should be made more interesting through some kind of additions. Suppose if entire ‘Taarak Mehta ka oolta chashma’ TV serial team was there attending the event, and staging a drama after the award ceremony, based on award winning author’s plot, how interesting the function could be! Or presentation of poetry with full orchestra could also be interesting. The government could also invite some nationally renown author/orator to speak at the event. Good oratory can also be an attraction.

Then why this event was held on weekdays? And why in early evening, when temperature was above 40? Such events should be more publicized and properly organized.

We must mention here, how minister Ramanlal Vora changed the schedule of Girnar climbing competition this year. Usually this competition is held on Sunday every year, but this year, reportedly due to unavailability of minister’s date, the event was shifted to weekdays. The jubilant atmosphere which is witnessed every year during the climbing competition event was absent this year.

Watch: Taarak Mehta, Bhagwatikumar Sharma responding to Gujarat Gaurav Award(Videos)