Special awards for writings on development of adolescent

Espousing the cause women's empowerment, the government today said a special category of awards would be instituted to promote original writings focussing on development of adolescent girls.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said suggestions would also be invited from youngsters about the future role of government's Publications Division in the changed scenario in which the publication industry had undergone a drastic change both in content and technology.
"A special category of awards to promote original writings focussing on all-round development of adolescent girls would be instituted from next time.
"The objective of the new awards is to encourage the spirit of women empowerment from the adolescent stage of growth for girls," Javadekar said after conferring the Bhartendu Harishchandra Awards for the years 2011 and 2012 and added the prize money of Bhartendu Awards would be enhanced.

The Minister also announced the award function would be held every year on September 9 - on the birth anniversary of the eminent writer. The awards were presented on the eminent writer's birthday today for the first time.