Noted poet and lyricist Manjar Bhopali from Bhopal received the prestigious Padma Bhushan Gopal Das ‘Neeraj’ Samman for his significant contributions to Urdu and Hindi literature. The city’s cultural landscape witnessed a resonant evening of literature as the socio-cultural organization Manchdeep celebrated its 47th Foundation Day at the Shaheed Smarak auditorium. Addressing a packed auditorium, Manjar Bhopali captivated the audience with his famous call for unity, reciting his poetries.

 

The ceremony was inaugurated by Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh, who lauded the efforts of Manchdeep’s founder, Mathura Jain ‘Utsahi’, for revitalizing the city’s literary tradition after a brief hiatus. Rajiv Gupta, Chief General Manager of GCF, noted that Bhopali’s presence provided a rare and valuable opportunity for local enthusiasts to experience world-class poetry. The latter half of the program shifted into a Kavi Sammelan.

 

The senior poets delivered evocative performances ranging from reflections on the beauty of the homeland to the struggles of the modern era. Bhopali concluded the night by reflecting on the complexities of the digital age. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Mathura Jain, marking another successful milestone for Manchdeep in its nearly five-decade-long journey of promoting the arts.