Padma Shri for Prof KN Pandita

Jammu, January 25

Prof Kashi Nath Pandita, former Director of the Centre for Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, has been awarded Padma Shri in the field of literature and education. He is the only person from J&K to get the award this year.

Distinguished scholar and Central Asian expert Kashi Nath Pandita is a former student of Tehran University, where he earned his PhD in Iranian-Central Asian studies. He has made valuable contribution to the study of current political affairs of the region, including Iran.

The Iranian embassy in New Delhi honoured him with the Saadi Award in 2011 and the President awarded him in 1995 for his outstanding contribution to classics and strengthening of the Indo-Iranian cultural relations.

Born in Baramulla in 1927, he did his postgraduation in Persian from Panjab University. He served as a professor in the Persian Department and the Centre of Central Asian Studies at the Jammu and Kashmir University. He has authored several books, including ‘My Tajik Friends’, ‘Iran and Central Asia’ and ‘Baharistan-i-Shahi’. — TNS