Kashmir Scholar Prof Shafi Shauq Conferred Padma Shri | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: President of India Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred Padma Awards on 66 distinguished personalities during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The awards, among the country’s highest civilian honours, were presented in recognition of exceptional contributions in diverse fields, including literature, education, social work, science, public affairs and the arts.

Among the awardees from Jammu and Kashmir, noted scholar and academician Prof Shafi Shauq was conferred the Padma Shri for his distinguished contribution to literature and education.

Born in Kaprin village of Shopian district in 1950, Prof Shauq is a celebrated writer, scholar and translator who has authored, edited and translated more than 106 books in Kashmiri, English, Hindi and Urdu. He completed his higher education at University of Kashmir and later served the institution for more than 33 years, retiring as Head of the Department. He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Learning.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on Kashmiri language and literature, Prof Shauq’s prominent works include Kaeshur Lughat, Yaad Aasmaanan Hinz, Zabaan ti Adab, Kaeshri Adabuk Tawaariekh and Kaeshur Grammar. He also translated several literary works under *The Best of Kashmiri Literature series and wrote scripts for television serials and films.

Over the years, he has received several prestigious honours, including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry, Sahitya Akademi Award for Translation and the Bhasha Samman Award from the Central Institute of Indian Languages.

For 2026, the President has approved 131 Padma Awards, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards.