Premchand's contributions to literature remembered

VARANASI: The three-day Munshi Premchand Lamhi Mahotsava-2011 began with a function in Lamhi village, the birthplace of the great Hindi novelist, on Friday.
The fest is being organised by the cultural department.
Cultural minister Subhash Pandey handed over the documents of land transfer for the construction of Premchand Smarak and Premchand Shodh Evam Adhyayan Sansthan in Lamhi to the vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), D P Singh, on the occasion.
A piece of 0.249-hectare land has been acquired in Lamhi for the development of memorial and research centre. The Hindi department of BHU has been given responsibility to handle the project.
Addressing the function, Pandey said that he would urge the Central government to provide a fund of Rs 10 crore for the development of memorial and research centre.
He instructed the officials to hold workshops on Premchand in villages to popularise the his works.
Speaking on the occasion, the BHU V-C highlighted the works of Premchand and said that the university is committed to build the memorial and research centre.
The function was also addressed by principal secretary (culture) Stuti Kakkad, divisional commissioner A K Upadhyaya, district magistrate Ravindra and others. Later, cultural activities based on the works of Premchand were organised at the cultural complex in Chowkaghat.