Harmony India Awards Announce 10th Edition Winners

Jammu, November 9, 2024: The Harmony Cultural Foundation today announced the recipients of the prestigious 10th edition of the Harmony India Awards, recognizing the invaluable contributions of distinguished personalities across diverse fields.

Organized by the Foundation, the awards ceremony will take place on November 16, 2024, at the Abhinav Theatre in Jammu, where honourees from across Jammu & Kashmir and India will be celebrated for their outstanding contributions to culture, sports, fine arts, education, and community service. This year’s awards underscore the importance of preserving and promoting the region’s rich heritage at a time when cultural solidarity is essential, said Saurabh Zadoo during the press conference to announce the 10^th edition of Harmony India Awards at Jammu today.

Now in its 10th year, the Harmony India Awards were established to honour outstanding contributions to Jammu & Kashmir’s artistic, social, and intellectual landscape, particularly as it faces unique challenges and transformations. The awardees, carefully selected by a panel of eminent jury members, have made profound impacts, representing both the legacy and resilience of Jammu & Kashmir’s diverse communities. They remind us of the importance of preserving cultural identity, fostering unity, and empowering future generations through art, culture, science, sports, and service.

In a significant collaboration this year, the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages has partnered with the Foundation to conduct workshops on the basics of Indian classical music and Kashmiri folk forms. This initiative has played a pivotal role in encouraging and nurturing young artists, ensuring the preservation and transmission of traditional art forms to the next generation of cultural ambassadors.

“At this critical juncture, celebrating our cultural icons is not just an honour but a necessity,” said Saurabh Zadoo, Musician and Founder of the Harmony Cultural Foundation. “The Harmony India Awards are a tribute to those who have shaped the spirit of Jammu & Kashmir with resilience, talent, and unyielding dedication. Through their stories, we find the strength to preserve our identity, inspire unity, and empower the next generation to carry forward our legacy.”

As the Harmony India Awards celebrate their milestone 10th edition, they provide a crucial platform for amplifying the voices of both cultural stalwarts and emerging talent. In an era marked by social and cultural evolution, these awards offer a beacon of inspiration and hope, reminding communities of the power of tradition, resilience, and creativity.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will honour Triloke Koul for his distinguished contribution to Fine Arts and Makhan Lal Saraf for his outstanding work in Theatre and Acting. The Harmony India Mata Lalleshwari Lalded Samman will celebrate Sudhir K. Sopory’s contributions to Education and Science. The Pt. Bhajan Sopori Smriti Samman will be awarded to the Saaz Nawaz Group, recognized for their dedication to Kashmiri Sufiyana Music. Dr. Samita Bhat will receive the Women Achievers Award for her contributions to Medicine and Public Healthcare. Shrestha Samman honourees include Prem Nath Shad for Kashmiri Poetry, Yogendra Tiku for Acting, Avtar Mota for Poetry and Writing, and Suraj Singh for Light Music.

The National Icon Award will be presented to Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar for their achievements in Sports. The State Icon Award will recognize Neeraj Bakshi and Suman Gupta for Fine Arts, Ramesh Maratha for Radio & Broadcasting, Ashwani Kumar and Sameer Bhat for Journalism, and Jasleen Kour for her contributions to Entrepreneurship. The Community Icon Award will go to Sanjay Dhar of the Sharika Foundation for his contributions to Community Services. Finally, the Yuva Puraskar will recognize Ifra Kak for Theatre and Sheena Saraf for Sports.

“This year’s honourees exemplify the spirit of Jammu & Kashmir, demonstrating how creativity, courage, and dedication can contribute to social progress and unity,” expressed Romesh Zadoo, President of the Harmony Cultural Foundation. “The 10th Harmony India Awards are more than an occasion of recognition; they are a call to action, urging the preservation of Jammu & Kashmir’s heritage and the continued pursuit of excellence across fields. Through these awards, the Harmony Cultural Foundation aspires to build a bridge between the past and the future, sustaining the cultural heartbeat of Jammu & Kashmir at this pivotal time in history.”