Australia’s Poet and Writer Rekha Rajvanshi receives Dr Sarojini Naidu Award

By Staff reporter

Literature plays an important role inbuilding bridges of intercultural understanding across countries and cultures. Young people connect to their own cultures as well as to the world beyond their homes through reading books. Writers and poets contribute in changing our society but very few people recognize their efforts.

Sydney’s own poet and writer, Rekha Rajvanshi’s work was recognized at the Global Literary Festival last week on September 18^th 2020. She received the prestigious Dr Sarojini Naidu International Award for women 2020, for her contribution to literature in Australia. Global Literary Festival is organized annually by the Asian Academy of Arts in association with International Women’s Film Forum, Asian Academy of Film and TV and Marwah Studios. Talented women from around the world are nominated for these annual awards.

The 4^th edition of this prestigious award was named after India’s great freedom fighter, national leader and poet Dr Sarojini Naidu (1879 – 1949), also known as ‘Nightingale of India’. Mr Sandeep Marwah – founder, president and the chancellor of AAFT University and the President of the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment industry presented these awards. The session was chaired by His Excellency Kanhaiya Lal Ganju. Fifteen women were honoured internationally and several other eminent women were recognized nationally. This year, the award ceremony was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Rekha Rajvanshi has been making a significant contribution in the field of literature and arts in Australia for the past 20 years. Rekha has authored and edited eight books. She is also an accredited translator and was awarded Australia’s prestigious AUSIT Award for translating Aboriginal Dreamtime stories from English into Hindi. A strong supporter of languages, Rekha has taught Hindi at various levels in Australia. From young children to adults at CCE Sydney University Rekha has taught a range of students. She has also scripted and directed a few Hindi dramas.  Rekha has also been honoured by various organizations in Australia and India. She was invited to attend Sahitya Academy’s IORA poetry festival- WAVES in 2014 and ‘Vishwarang’ Tagore International Festival of Arts and Literature Bhopal in 2019.

To promote literature, languages and arts in Australia, Rekha founded Indian Literary and Art Society of Australia Inc. (ILASA) in 2010. ILASA has been hosting cultural programs in collaboration with the Consulate General of India and Indian High Commission of Sydney.  Through her society, Rekha has provided a wonderful platform for writers and budding poets to meet and exchange ideas. Eminent international writers have addressed ILASA’s gatherings and participated in the Kavisammelans, seminars and art exhibitions in Sydney. ILASA is expanding to other states in Australia and has coordinators in most of the major cities of Australia.

Various literary competitions and poetry slam sessions are organised regularly in Sydney to encourage the youth who are growing up away from the country and culture of their origin. One of these programs was organised at the NSW Parliament house. ILASA has worked with Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and Consulate General of India in Sydney and organized a National level Hindi Conference at the University of Sydney.

Rekha was nominated for the award by Dr Sandeep Marwah, president of the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment industry, a renowned film producer and director, who wished her well in future. Rekha humbly says, “It is very important to stay connected with our cultural roots and pass our language, literature, values and traditions to our younger generation. I thank Mr Marwah for recognizing my efforts here in Australia.”