It was indeed a landmark day for Hindi Literature as British Hindi writer, Tejinder Sharma was honoured with The Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Tejinder Sharma, who is of Indian origin. Is the first Hindi writer to receive this honour for his contribution to Hindi Literature.
Sharma, received his award for Contribution to Hindi Literature and Community Cohesion in the city of London at the hands of Prince Charles in a grand investiture held at the Buckingham Palace.
Tejinder Sharma was born on 21st October 1952 in Jagraon, Punjab, to a simple family. He has authored around two dozen books and has been a recipient of various awards in India, Maharashtra Sahitya Academy Samman (1995), and the Haryana Sahitya Academy Samman (2012).
Sharma worked with Air India as a Flight Purser for over 20 years. He settled in the United Kingdom in 1998.
His name to receive the MBE was referred to the Queen by Prime Minister Theresa May. In various categories, personalities like Om Puri, Salman Rushdie, Vikram Seth and Anish Kapoor have also been recipients of the MBE.
Tejinder Sharma credited his late father, Shri Nand Gopal Mohla, and wife Indu for his literary writing. He termed this as a colossal moment for Hindi literature and language when the British Monarch herself has honoured a Hindi writer with such honour. He dedicated his award to the entire Hindi literary world and remembered his teachers from school and college days.
