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Poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar conferred with honorary doctorate in UK

 “A luminary in Indian cinema and literature, Javed Akhtar’s impact spans across writing, activism, and leadership,” the SOAS citation reads…reports Asian Lite News

Award-winning lyricist, poet, scriptwriter and activist Javed Akhtar on Thursday received his Doctor of Literature honorary degree at a ceremony at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

The 78-year-old has been conferred the honorary degree for his creative endeavours as a distinguished writer and his dedication to social justice as an activist. Dr Akhtar was accompanied at the ceremony by his actor wife, Shabana Azmi, and filmmaker son, Farhan Akhtar.

 “A luminary in Indian cinema and literature, Javed Akhtar’s impact spans across writing, activism, and leadership,” the SOAS citation reads.

 “As an award-winning scriptwriter, lyricist, poet, and activist, Akhtar’s work has touched the hearts and minds of millions. His dedication to social justice, as reflected in his instrumental role in copyright reform, and his outspoken stance against religious fundamentalism highlight his commitment to a better society,” it notes.

The university highlighted Akhtar’s many accolades, including numerous awards for his cinematic contributions, such as National Awards and Filmfare Awards, and recognition as the first Indian to be conferred the Richard Dawkins Award for critical thinking, which “underscores his influence as a thought leader”.

Among the 2023 cohort of SOAS honorary doctorates, British Indian chef and bestselling cookbook author Asma Khan was conferred a Doctor of Science (Social Sciences) degree for reshaping the culinary landscape with her innovative approach to food and her commitment to social change.

 “As the first British chef profiled in Netflix’s Emmy-nominated ‘Chef’s Table’ series and a Vogue 25 Most Influential Women awardee, Khan’s impact transcends borders. Her all-female kitchen team and dedication to inclusivity have earned her recognition as a trailblazer,” reads her citation.

 “Khan’s accomplishments also extend beyond the culinary world, including her role on the Mayor’s Business Advisory Board and an Honorary Fellowship at Oxford University. She holds a PhD in British Constitutional Law from King’s College London and now an Honorary Doctorate from SOAS University of London,” it reads.

SOAS said it hopes to revive its Ramadan tent with the support and leadership of Dr Asma Khan, who is on the advisory committee for the Ramadan Tent Project charity.

SOAS University of London said it confers honorary degrees to individuals whose outstanding achievements and commitment to positive change exemplify the values and aspirations of the university community.

 “Their influence and accomplishments will undoubtedly continue to inspire students, faculty, and the broader society,” it added.

Internationally acclaimed Buddhist scholar and teacher Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and public health campaigner Professor Kevin Fenton CBE completed the 2023 set of honorary degrees at the university this week.

ALSO READ-Shankar Mahadevan dons the doctorate hat; builds links with Birmingham

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A poet-revolutionary who gave India its freedom song

Bismil’s shared a life-long bond with Ashfaqullah Khan. The two shared a common ideology, ideals and deep-rooted patriotism. They lived together, worked together and always had each other’s back…reports Amit Verma

It was Bismil Azimabadi of Patna who wrote “Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai, dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qatil mein hai” in 1921, and it was Ram Prasad Bismil who immortalised the lines. The poem became a war cry in India’s freedom struggle against the British rule.

Ram Prasad Bismil was himself a talented poet who wrote in Urdu and Hindi, under the pen names Ram, Agyat and Bismil.

He was also the founding member of Hindustan Republican Association (that became Hindustan Socialist Republican Association) whose more popular revolutionary members were Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad.

Ram Prasad Bismil was born on June 11, 1887, in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district. His parents were Murlidhar and Moolmati.

As a child, Bismil witnessed the brutal atrocities that Britain’s colonial rule kept inflicting on Indians. He was deeply affected and began leaning towards revolutionary ideals. He also mastered the art of wielding firearms and then joined hands with Bengali revolutionaries Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Jadugopal Mukherjee to set up Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), a revolutionary organisation in north India that had vowed to set India free from the shackles of British rule.

Bismil borrowed money from his patriotic mother, Moolmati, to write and publish his books ‘Deshvasiyon Ke Naam’, ‘Swadeshi Rang’, ‘Man Ki Lahar’ and ‘Swadhinta Ki Devi’ to draw public attention to their cause and bring in much-needed money.

This was also when he met and became close friends with other leading figures of the revolutionary freedom struggle such as Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lahiri.

Bismil played a key role in bringing dynamic youngsters like Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh into the folds of HRA, which later became Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

In fact, it was Bismil who named Chandra Shekhar Azad ‘Quick Silver’, in honour of his agility, restlessness and ever-present enthusiasm for new ideas.

Bismil’s shared a life-long bond with Ashfaqullah Khan. The two shared a common ideology, ideals and deep-rooted patriotism. They lived together, worked together and always had each other’s back.

In his autobiography, Bismil dedicated an entire chapter to Ashfaqullah Khan. Both played key roles in the famous Kakori train robbery of 1925.

Realising that organising a revolution to overthrow the British required funds to procure weapons and train men, HRA’s core leadership decided to loot the colonial government’s treasury.

On August 9, 1925, as the No. 8 Down Train from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow was approaching Kakori, Ashfaqullah pulled the chain in the second-class compartment.

The train stopped abruptly and he then got off with his friends Sachindra Bakshi and Rajendra Lahiri, after doing the first part of his duty in the Kakori plot. The trio then joined other revolutionaries from HRA in subduing the train’s guard and looting the official cash aboard it.

The incident shook the roots of the British rulers and the colonial authorities arrested more than two dozen HRA members (including Bismil) within a month of the attack. During the trial that followed, four of the revolutionaries — Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Nath Lahiri — were sentenced to death and were sent to separate jails; others got prison terms.

During his time in Barrack No. 11 of Lucknow Central Jail, Bismil wrote his autobiography (published by journalist Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi in 1928) which is still considered as one of the finest works in Hindi literature. It was also here that he came up with a song which went on to become one of the most iconic songs of the pre-Independence era. The song is “Mera rang de basanti chola”.

On December 19, 1927, Bismil wrote his last letter to his mother before calmly walking to the gallows. Hanged a few minutes later with the words ‘Jai Hind’ on his lips, he was cremated on the banks of Rapti river. Hundreds of Indians mourned the loss of an inspiring leader. Thus, ended the life of one of India’s most extraordinary freedom fighters.

Interestingly, few know that he realised that he will not see independent India in his life time. Bismil had penned a poem, wishing to be reborn to serve his motherland again.

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