Eminent Punjabi scholar awarded with Padma Shri
Kanwar Inder Singh/ January 25,2023
Padma Shri award has been announced for eminent scholar Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi in the field of Literature & Education. List of Padma awardees, 2023 has been approved by President of India Droupadi Murmu on the eve of 74th Republic Day.
Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi is an eminent name on the Punjabi and Hindi literary firmament with Gurmat literature being his forte. This doyen of the literary world has devoted more than 70 years of his illustrious life with wholehearted commitment to serve the cause of Punjabi, Hindi and Gurmat literature.
The master craftsman of literary world, Dr. Jaggi obtained Ph.D in 1962 from the Panjab University, Chandigarh on the subject of “Dasam Granth Da Pauranik Addhyan” and in the aftermath dedicated a book titled “Dasam Granth Ki Pauranik Prishth bhoomi” to the people which bagged the first prize awarded by the Language Department, Punjab and got accolades in immense measure from the prominent personalities of the literary world. In 2000, Dr. Jaggi came out with meticulously prepared “Dasam Granth Da Tika (Sub-Commentary)” which was released in five volumes by the Gobind Sadan, Delhi. He is considered an authority on the Dasam Granth.
Enhancing his academic profile, Dr. Jaggi was awarded D. Litt. degree by the Magadh University, Bodhgaya in 1973 where his subject in Hindi was “Sri Guru Nanak: Vyaktitatva, Krititva Aur Chintan”. This literary creation was also bestowed first prize by the Language Department, Punjab. Continuing his literary contribution to the society, Dr. Jaggi authored many books on Guru Nanak Bani and during the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Punjab Government got a volume titled “Guru Nanak Bani: Paathatey Vyakhya” prepared from Dr. Jaggi in Punjabi and Hindi which was distributed. Earning his spurs, Dr. Jaggi also published a treatise on Guru Nanak bani namely “Guru Nanak: Jeevniatey Vyaktitatva” and a second book “Guru Nanak di Vichar dhara”, both of which were awarded first prize by the Language Department, Punjab.
Amongst the services rendered by Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi, one of the most significant one is related to the transliteration and translation of Tulsi Ramayan (Ram Charit Manas) which is a glorious holy book of Hindu religion, in Punjabi. The book was published by the Punjabi University, Patiala and was recipient of the National level first prize by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi in 1989. Dr. Jaggi readied the “Punjabi Sahit Sandarbh Kosh (Reference Dictionary)” which was published by the Punjabi University, Patiala in 1994. Burning midnight oil from 1998 to 2002, Dr. Jaggi prepared five volume “Punjabi Sahit da Sarot Moolak Itihas” which was published by the Punjabi University, Patiala. Realizing the need for an encyclopedia in order to answer the queries concerned with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a brief but accredited manner, Dr. Jaggi authored “Guru Granth Vishavkosh (Encyclopedia)” in 2002 which was published by the Punjabi University, Patiala.
His other notable contributions included “Sikh Panth Vishavkosh” (2005) containing entries regarding main issues, versions and facts related to the Sikh religion and a five volume tika (Sub-Commentary) titled “Arthbodh Sri Guru Granth Sahib” dedicated to the people in 2007 which was released by Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee.
It was in 2013 that Dr. Jaggi rendered his biggest service to the cause of Sikh religion when he prepared a comprehensive tika (Sub-Commentary) by the name of “Bhav Prabodhini Tika Sri Guru Granth Sahib” subsequently published by Punjabi University, Patiala in 8 volumes. It contains the detailed explication of the Bani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and is proving to be immensely invaluable for the people especially the Sikh circles. The year 2017 saw Dr. Jaggi publishing the five volume tika of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Hindi.
Considering the never ending glorious achievements of Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi, this literary giant has been conferred with many honours including National award in 1989 by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, “Punjabi Sahit Shiromani (Ratan)” the highest award by the Punjab Government in 1996 with his books getting the first prize by the Language Department, Punjab eight times from 1964 to 1976.
His literary acumen has transcended the State boundaries and earned him numerous accolades from other states. The Haryana Government felicitated him with the first prize in 1968 for his book. The Punjabi Academy under the aegis of the Delhi Government honoured him with “Param Sahit Sanman” in 2010 with the Uttar Pradesh Government felicitating him with the “Souhard Puraskar” in 1996.
The Punjabi University, Patiala in deference to the accomplishments of Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi in the field of literature awarded him honorary D. Litt. degree in 2014 with the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar following suit in 2015. Scores of literary, NGOs and religious institutions have also honoured Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi as a mark of respect to his services of monumental nature.
Eminent Punjabi scholar awarded with Padma Shri.Despite being 95 years of age, the great litterateur that he is, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi is relentlessly carrying on his mission of rendering exceptional literary services to the society with 144 books flowing from his pen so far. The Punjabi University, Patiala has granted him Life Fellowship in view of his attainments.
(royalpatiala.in News)
