Udaipur journalist and author Laxman Bolia to be honoured with Shyam Rai Bhatnagar Award in Jaipur

Udaipur, Senior journalist and litterateur Laxman Bolia, a resident of Udaipur, will be honoured with the Shyam Rai Bhatnagar Award on the eve of Republic Day. The award ceremony will be held on Sunday at the Pink City Press Club, Jaipur.

According to Ashok Bhatnagar, convener of the ceremony organised by the Journalism Literature Research Institute, Jaipur, and the Last Terminal Media Group, the event is being held in memory of senior journalist and freedom fighter Late Shyam Rai Bhatnagar of Nathdwara. The programme will also feature an All-India Poets’ Meet. On this occasion, noted journalists and writers from the state—Laxman Bolia, Balamukund Ojha, L.C. Bharatiya, Farooq Afridi, Vijay Saxena, and Mrs. Asha Patel—will also be honoured.

Born on February 14, 1940, Laxman Bolia completed his matriculation from Kanwarpada and Fateh High School, and pursued a Bachelor of Arts at Maharana Bhupal College. He entered journalism in 1958 while still a student. He edited Udaipur-based weeklies such as Kolahal, Pandrah August, Aravali, Neta, and Gorabadal, and later served as the Udaipur correspondent for Lokvani Daily (Jaipur) and The Indian Express (Delhi).

In 1967, he was selected as Assistant Editor (Literature and News) in the Department of Public Relations, Jaipur. He also served as editor of the Rural Development Department’s monthly magazine Rajasthan Vikas.

After retiring as Joint Director from the Police Department, the 86-year-old Bolia went on to serve as Press Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister of the state. He was honoured by the State Government on August 15, 1988, for distinguished services at a state-level समारोह. He has received honours from over 25 institutions.

More than 200 articles authored by him have been published in leading state and national publications including Dharmyug, Kadambini, Hindustan, Parag, Maya, Ravivar, Dinman, Blitz, Rajasthan Patrika, and Dainik Bhaskar. He is a life member of the Eye Bank Society and served as editor of Netra Jyoti magazine for ten years. He is currently active in writing and social service.