Padma awards for 2023 have been announced by ministry of Home affairs, Govt. of India on 26.01.2023 with a list giving Padma Vibhusha-6, Padma Bhushan-9 and Padma Shri-91, and in total 106. Every citizen of India becomes curious to know about these personalities to know about their contribution to society which makes them worth of these highest civilian awards.
Belonging to Punjab, it makes me curious to go through the list of Padma awardees-2023 to know that who is the person who have been bestowed with this honour and for what and introduce him/her to common reader. From the list, it comes out that it is only Shri Rattan Singh Jaggi from Punjab who has been awarded Padam Shri in the field of literature & Education. This article will highlight the achievements of Shri Rattan Singh Jaggi.
prominent personalities of the literary world. He was awarded DLitt by Magadh University, Bodhgaya, in 1973 where his subject in Hindi was "Sri Guru Nanak: Vyaktitatva, Krititva Aur Chintan". Dr Jaggi has authored many books on Guru Nanak Bani. 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. During the 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the Punjab Government got a volume titled "Guru Nanak Bani: Paathatey Vyakhya" prepared by Dr Jaggi in Punjabi and Hindi which was distributed.
Dr Jaggi is well known in Punjabi and Hindi literary circles, with Gurmat literature being his forte. He has devoted more than 70 years of his life to serve the cause of Punjabi, Hindi and Gurmat literature. Dr Jaggi obtained a PhD in 1962 from 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
His first book titled ‘Pauranic Study of the Dasam Granth’ was published in 1965. Since then, he has published over 144 books on a variety of subjects. He is well-versed in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, English and Sanskrit languages. 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. 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 Guru Granth Sahib, in a brief but accredited manner, Dr Jaggi authored "Guru Granth Vishavkosh (Encyclopedia)" in 2002 which was published by 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.
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. 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.