Afaq Ahmed Memorial National Award 2021, bestowed to Senior poet & author Shri Santosh Choubey for Hindi Adab

Bhopal: Mr Santosh Choubey, Senior Poet-Storyteller, Director at Vishwarang and Chancellor at Rabindranath Tagore University, was awarded National Award for Hindi Adab instituted in the memory of eminent litterateur Professor Afaq Ahmed under the joint aegis of Sabrang Cultural and Arts Committee, Bhopal and Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Adab. The award ceremony was held at State Museum, Shyamala Hills, Bhopal. On this occasion, Janab Zia Farooqui was honoured with National Award Braye Urdu Adab.

This award is presented annually by the cultural organisation- Sabarang Literary, Cultural and Arts Committee, Bhopal to individuals who have done remarkable work in the field of Urdu and Hindi literature and education. Presiding over the function, Prof. Hassan Masood said that Prof. Afaq Ahmed was not just a person but an idea and honouring him is like keeping that same idea alive.

Mr Santosh Choubey said that Prof. Afaq’s contribution in the field of literature and education is exemplary. On this occasion, Santosh Choubey recited his selected poems, which were highly appreciated by all.

Devi Saran, the chief guest of honour ceremony, former administrative officer and associate of Prof. Afaq Ahmed, said that Afaq was a strong connection between Hindi and Urdu writers. Events like this are important to carry forward the democratic tradition of progress. Senior critic Mr Ramprakash Tripathi said that Mr Afaq was like an encyclopedia of Urdu language.

Dr Nushrat Mehdi, Director of Urdu Academy, said that Mr Afaq had many dimensions of personality that made him extraordinary. He did notable work while he was in All India Iqbal Markaz and M.P. Urdu Academy.

State’s senior literature Mr Rajesh Joshi was also present at the program. Dr Shafi Hidayat Qureshi, educationist and patron of Sabrang, renowned writer and poet Mr Iqbal Masood, and Urdu journalist Dr Mahtab Alam also expressed their views. The guests were extended a welcome by Shayan Qureshi- Secretary, Sabrang and the office bearers and the young litterateur Mr Badra Vasti conducted the event.