Chandigarh Akademi Honors Dr. Naresh for Urdu Literature

The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi has selected Dr. Naresh, former Professor of Modern Literature at Panjab University, for its *Award of Recognition (Lifelong Contribution to Literature)* in Urdu for 2025. The honour celebrates a literary and academic career spanning more than six decades.

Dr. Naresh has authored over 100 books spanning poetry, fiction, criticism, philosophy and spirituality, alongside more than 1,000 articles, poems and short stories published in journals and newspapers. While his work spans Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and English, Urdu has held a particularly significant place in his journey, earning him accolades such as the *Ghalib Award*, the *Khwaja Altaf Hussain Hali Award*, and recognition from Urdu academies across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar. His book *Lauh-e-Hayat* was specially honoured by the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy.

Responding to the recognition, Dr. Naresh called it a source of encouragement to continue his literary journey. The award adds to a long list of honours, including the *Government of India Award* for *Chintan aur Mulyankan* and Haryana's *Lifetime Achievement Award*.