Advisor to the Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, presented ‘State Level Academy Awards’ for Translation and Best Play Script to five leading writers of the State at K L Saigal Hall here today.The award ceremony was organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL).The Translation Award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a citation, and a shawl while the Best Play Script competition Award carries Rs 10,000, a certificate, and a shawl each, in languages recognized by JKAACL.Prof. Mattoo while complimenting the awardees for their literary achievements, said that cultural renaissance should be promoted by empowering the academy and providing apt platform to artists, poets, writers, intellectuals to display the rich heritage and culture of the state. He further stressed upon adopting modern techniques to preserve our local languages and dialect for posterity. He impressed upon the writer fraternity to work together for peace and prosperity of the state.Prof Mattoo impressed upon the Academy to work for preservation and promotion of all the regional languages of state including Shina, Balti, Purki, Ladakhi besides Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri and Pahari.He said that such awards will encourage and provide an adequate opportunity to writers to translate books in their respective languages.Member Legislative Council and Vice President of JKAACL, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas in his speech said that state is passing through a challenging phase and authors, artists and intellectuals have a great role to play in binding the society in one Unit thereby promoting diversity and oneness.Secretary JKAACL Academy Dr. Aziz Hajni also addressed the gathering and highlighted the achievements of the Academy.The Translation Award in Kashmiri was presented to Prof. Mohammad Zaman Azurda while under Best Play script Competition four playwrights were awarded by Academy. In Kashmiri, Dildar Ashraf Shah was awarded for his script ‘Tsange Gayeh Tseteh’ while in Dogri, Dr. Gian Singh got award for his work’ Sah Basah’, S S Anand Lehar was awarded for his Urdu Play ‘Sarhad Se Wapsi’, and in Hindi Rajneesh Gupta got award for play Jashn-e-Zindagi.Kashmiri and Urdu writer Prof. Mohammad Zaman Azurda, and Dr. Javaid Rahi Chief Editor besides other dignitaries of the academy were present on the occasion.