AMRITSAR: Noted Punjabi writer and critic Harbhajan Singh Bhatia has been conferred with the Shiromani Literary Critic Award by the Punjab government. A professor in the School of Punjabi Studies at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Bhatia received the award from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at a function held in Chandigarh on November 17. The award was instituted by the Punjab Bhasha Vibhag.
Bhatia won the award for his outstanding contribution to Punjabi literature, both as a writer and a critic. In the past, he has received several other awards at the national and international level, the most prestigious ones being Dr Ravinder Singh Ravi Yadgari Puruskar and Dr Joginder Singh Rahi Yadgari Award.
Bhatia is currently a member of the Janpith Award Committee besides being on the Sahitya Academy Advisory Board. He has to his credit 21 books and publications besides about 100 research papers.
