DR Faqir Chand Shukla, selected for the Shiromani Punjabi Lekhak Award for the year 2000 by the Department of Languages, Punjab, is a scientist, teacher, writer and an actor.

This is the highest literary award conferred on a writer by the Punjab Government and carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh besides a medal, doshala and a memento.

Dr Shukla, working in Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, has authored 21 books on food and nutrition as well as stories and plays for children. In addition, he has written more than 300 articles on food and nutrition in English, Hindi and Punjabi. He received national awards for his books Khuraak ate Sehat, Sasta Bhojan-Vadhiya Bhojan, Sachi Khushi (book for children). He was also awarded the Mohan Rakesh Award for his collection of plays Jot Jaley and the Shri Guru Hari Krishan Award for his book Minh Wala Din. Nayi Subah, a collection of short stories in Hindi, was adjudged the best literary book by the Department of Languages, Punjab, in 1994.

A large number of stories written by him have been translated into Kannada, Gujarati, Sindhi, Marathi, Telugu, Malyalam. His work Nakel was adjudged the best story in an all-India writing competition organised by Telugu magazine Vipula.

Dr. Shukla has also acted in numerous plays like Hedda Gabler, Assadh Ka Din, Dhaak Ke Teen Paat and Adhe Adhure, which have been well received not only in the country but also abroad.

He has written a good number of plays on scientific themes of general interest regarding issues ranging from environment awareness to AIDS, and also on food and nutrition. Many of his plays have been telecast by Doordarshan. While Dharti Saadi Maa deals with the importance of the ozone layer, the play Doctor Biji highlights the significance of medicinal plants.

Anokhi Soojh and Vidya Mandir highlight the importance of hard work in one’s life and encourages youngsters to emulate hard-workers.

Dr. Shukla is also the founder of the Punjabi Sahitya Kala Manch, the organisation committed to the twin cause of inculcating interest for performing arts among the masses and helping the needy students.

Dr. Shukla has also been recently awarded the ‘millennium award’ by the World Hindi Conference held at New Delhi for his meritorious contribution to Hindi literature.

Dr. Shukla, who holds a doctorate degree in food and technology, received his school education in Khizrabad village of Ropar district. Showing keen interest in writing since his childhood, his stories started appearing in newspapers when he was a student of eighth standard.