Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Presents Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards

The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today emphasized the need to promote India’s glorious cultural heritage of India, spanning over 5000 years. He called upon the media to recognize our cultural heritage and expressed the need to protect, support and nurture our artists in a structured manner.

Addressing a gathering after conferring the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi today, the Vice President expressed his happiness in honoring the individuals whose contributions uphold the cultural heritage and pride of the nation.

Expressing his profound admiration for individuals, all above 75 years of age, awarded today, Shri Dhankhar highlighted the historical disparity in acknowledging the achievements of these distinguished personalities. Referring to many unsung heroes whose contributions have been recognised through Padma Awards in recent years, he noted the massive public approval of Awards to such individuals.

While describing veteran artists as the true defenders and architects of our cultural heritage, Shri Dhankhar stated that their invaluable contributions should have been recognized long ago. He also lauded the resplendent display of Indian culture on the global stage during the G-20 summit, and expressed confidence that with right leadership in place, India will reach its pinnacle on the global stage in 2047.

Quoting from Justice Ansaria’s judgment, the Vice President recounted a conversation between a soldier and a professor  and underlined that these individuals who have been honoured today are the real protectors of our cultural heritage.

Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice of India, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS External Affairs and Culture, Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi, senior officials from the Ministry of Culture, eminent artists from across the country and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.