Six Surrey secondary students were honoured at the 2025 Dhahan Youth Awards for outstanding Punjabi and English creative writing showcased in Vancouver.
Six Surrey Students Shine at 2025 Dhahan Youth Awards
Recognition for Young Writers
Six Surrey secondary students were honoured on November 13 at the 2025 Dhahan Youth Awards, a national showcase celebrating creative writing in both Punjabi and English. The annual event, hosted as part of the 11th Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature ceremonies, highlights the voices of young writers and promotes storytelling rooted in Punjabi culture.
Event’s Cultural Purpose
Surrey Schools says the awards continue to serve as a platform for Punjabi youth to embrace their cultural identity through literature. The program encourages students to explore heritage, language, and lived experiences through storytelling. Organizers emphasize that the awards help preserve and expand Punjabi literary traditions among Canada’s next generation.
History Behind the Awards
Founded in 2017 in partnership with L.A. Matheson Secondary and the Coast Capital Foundation, the Dhahan Youth Awards have consistently featured Surrey students. The initiative has grown into a prominent youth literary showcase, offering students exposure, mentorship, and publication opportunities.
Local Students Among Top Winners
Eight students received awards this year, including six from Surrey representing L.A. Matheson, Princess Margaret, and Queen Elizabeth secondary schools. The Surrey honourees are:
- Arshdeep Kaur Sidhu – L.A. Matheson Secondary
- Navdeep Kaur Gill – L.A. Matheson Secondary
- Simran Kaur Choongh – L.A. Matheson Secondary
- Jasmeen Rai – Princess Margaret Secondary
- Jasmeet Kaur Bassi – Princess Margaret Secondary
- Ramneet Sidhu – Queen Elizabeth Secondary
Other recipients included Mandeep Kaur Sandhu and Inderdeep Kaur from Dasmesh Punjabi School in Abbotsford.
Awards and Publication
Each winner received a framed certificate, prize funds, and the opportunity to have their work published in Lofty Heights, an anthology showcasing standout submissions. This year’s collection is published in Gurmukhi, Shahmukhi, English, and French, reflecting Canada’s linguistic diversity and the award’s commitment to cross-cultural accessibility.
Future Opportunities for Students
Organizers say submissions for the 2026 Dhahan Youth Award will open soon, continuing the mission to empower young storytellers across British Columbia and beyond. Additional details will be available on the dhahanprize.co.
