Ludhiana, May 13 (Reporter) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced that his government will start the 'Patar Award' in memory of renowned Punjabi Poet and litterateur Surjit Patar. Addressing the media at the funeral of Patar. who was cremated with full state honours here, Mann said the award will have prize money of Rs One lakh and will be given every year to an emerging poet by the Punjab government. Students from the eighth grade to the graduation level will be eligible for the award. The aim of the award will be to inspire teenagers and youth to read Surjit Patar and take interest in literature. The Chief Minister said a panel of litterateurs will be formed for determining the awardee. Apart from this, a competition will be organised for graduation level students. Patar passed away on Saturday. Patar's last journey began from his house and ended at the cremation ground in Model Town. An emotional Mann was among those who shouldered the bier. He also met the bereaved family members and consoled them. "We will do our best to take the language and literature of our mother tongue forward in every field. Whatever we do in honour of this 'Proud Son of Punjabi Maa Boli', will serve Punjabi language itself," he said as people raised slogans, 'long live Patar Sahib' and 'long live the protector of Punjabi Maa Boli'...////...