EMINENT LYRICIST AND SCRIPT WRITER JAVED AKHTAR FELICITATED WITH AN AWARD OF ONE LAKH AT PRESS CLUB, NEW DELHI

( ABOVE THE CMD OF BHARAT EXPRESS WELCOMING JAVED AKHTAR AT PCI)

The eminent literateur, script writer and lyricist of hundreds of songs of Bollywood films earning an outstanding reputation Javed Akhtar was on Friday felicitated with a new founded Neeraj Samnan, an award in recognition of his outstanding contribution in Bollywood, for writing exceptional film stories , lyrics etc comprising of Rs One Lakh Cash Prize, a Shawl, a citation and a bronze statue of leading n legendary Hindi poet n lyricist Gopal Das Neeraj to whom goes the credit to write several lyrics for the Bollywood’ssuper duper hit movies in Hindi viz Mera Naam Joker, Jangal Mein Mangal, Patanga, Tere Mere Sapne, Lal Pathar, Gambler, Sharmilee, Prem Pujari, Kal Aaj aur Kal, Chand aur Bijlee, Kanyadaan, Nai Umar ki Nayi Fasal, Cha Cha Cha, etc.

The glittering function held in the precincts of Press Club of India onntge sixth death anniversary of Gopal Das Neeraj was jointly organised by the PRESS CLUB OF INDIA, Hindi Academy Delhi and Mahakavi Gopal Das Neeraj Foundation.

The main attraction of the event which was organised on the anniversary of legendary Hindi poet Gopal Das Neeraj were apart from chief guest Javed Akhtar, actor and singer and anchor Annu Kapoor, eminent film producers Boney Kapoor, Roomi Jaafery, Rajiv Shukla, leading journalist, MP, the minister in Madhya Pradesh Government Mr. Sarang , Hindi poet of humour Suresh Sharma, n several other leading Hindi poets who gave their interesting and impressive poetry presentation on this ocassion.

The Bollywood actor Annu Kapur and Producer Boney Kapoor including Hindi poet of humour were also felicitated on this ocassion with a shawl , citation n trophies.

However, the main attraction of the event was eminent lyricist and script wrote of hundreds of movies n sings Javed Akhtar who was felicitated with an award called Neeraj Samman of Rs One lakh, a Shawal, Bronze statue of Neerajji and a citation read from the stage.

Addressing the audience amid cheers and repeated clappings Javed Akhtar lauded the immense contribution of legendary lyricist and Hindi poet Gopal Dass Neeraj saying that I have been impressed after hearing him from the tender age of eleven at Aligarh. I have been constantly meeting him since then till he left for his eternal journey and watching his poetry cinventions. Javed Akhtar said that Gopal Das Neeraj was the outstanding Hindi poet, thinker n lyricist who wrote the language of a common man and that’s the reason his songs were superduper hits and are adored by millions of people till date. Speaking at length lauding the legendary lyricist and Hindi poet Gopal Das Neeraj Javed Akhtar said that I touched the feet of two, three people in my entire life and Gopal Das Neeraj was one of them said Akhtar adding that he was so adorable and respected that my last meeting with him was before his death, when I was in Aligarh and thought of meeting him exclusively. I was in my car which stopped at his house in Delhi where I touched his feet, interacted with him and had lunch etc with the entire family. This was how I used to meet him and maintain my respects towards him said Javed Akhtar. Praising Neeraj he emphatically said he was the Shayar of Hindi and poet of Urdu amid cheers.

The Bollywood actor and anchor Annu Kapoor lauded Gopal Das Neeraj ji and Javed Akhtar both saying Indian Bollywood Industry was privileged and blessed to have both of them who wrote n expressed the voice of a common man in their lyrics and film scripts.

The Bollywood producer to whose credit goes several super duper Bollywood films Anil Kapoor thanked the press club of India and the family of Legendary Hindi poet and lyricist Gopal Das Neeraj for showering on them so much of love and respect, honouring them and giving an opportunity to remember such an outstanding legend.

The sons of Gopal Das Neeraj who organised the entire show also thanked the audience and the leading poets including the dignitaries from Mumbai for sparing their pivotal time and being in their midst. The President and general secretary of the Press Club of India Gautam Lahiri and Neeraj Thakur also felicitated Annu Kapoor and Boney Kapoor who had come all the way from Mumbai to participate in this function at Press Club of India.