Lucknow: The 5th National Kalamveer Day was successfully celebrated at Nirala Auditorium, Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, marking the birth anniversary of renowned writer and journalist Dr. Sultan Shakir Hashmi. The event was jointly organized by Navsrijan Sahityik evam Sanskritik Sanstha, Akhil Bharatiya Ageet Parishad, Awadh Sahitya Akademi, and Media Foundation, bringing together over 60 authors, senior literati, journalists, and academicians from various languages.
Professor Dr. V. G. Goswami, former Dean of Law, Lucknow University, presided over the ceremony. Justice Ata-ur-Rahman Masoodi attended as Chief Guest, while eminent personalities including senior litterateur Uday Pratap Singh (former Chairperson, Hindi Sansthan), Dr. Anis Ansari (IAS, former VC, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University), Prof. Dr. Usha Sinha, Prof. Dr. Sabira Habib, and senior journalist Hemant Tiwari were present as distinguished guests.
In his address, Prof. Goswami lauded Dr. Hashmi as a pillar of Hindi, Urdu, and English literature whose work sets milestones for future generations. He highlighted Dr. Hashmi’s authorship of over 60 notable books and his reputation as a compelling orator and virtuous individual. Justice Masoodi emphasized the relevance of Dr. Hashmi’s writings and personality in today’s times, while Uday Pratap Singh and Dr. Anis Ansari acknowledged his contributions to literature, journalism, and social service.
The event also honored senior writers and journalists with the Kalamveer Chakra Award 2025 and Kalamveer Ratna Award 2025. Notable awardees included Padmashree Vidya Bindu Singh, Prof. Dr. Ajay Singh, Prof. Dr. Manuka Khanna, senior journalist Sharat Pradhan, and literary figures such as Triveni Prasad Dubey ‘Manish’, Dr. Anup Arpan, and ghazal singer Mithilesh Lakhnavi, who received the Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Award 2025. Contributions of volunteers and humanitarian service teams aiding flood victims in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were also recognized.
The ceremony commenced with a Vandana by Rupa Pandey ‘Satrupa’ and ghazals penned by Dr. Hashmi, performed by Mithilesh Lakhnavi, setting an enchanting tone for the event. The program, managed by Dr. Yogesh Gupta, included welcome addresses by Dr. Hashmi and readings of awardees’ biographies by Dr. Sudha Mishra. Over 100 writers and distinguished guests participated, celebrating Dr. Hashmi’s literary brilliance, journalistic contributions, and enduring social impact.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Shahjeb Hashmi, with notable support from Manju Saxena, Devesh Dwivedi ‘Devesh’, and Manu Bajpai. The celebration reinforced Dr. Sultan Shakir Hashmi’s status as a guiding light in contemporary Indian literature and journalism.
