Akhtar honoured with Indira Gandhi prize for National Integration

New Delhi, Sep 13 (UNI) Renowned lyricist, scriptwriter and poet Javed Akhtar has been selected for the prestigious "Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration" for 2005 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to secularism and national integration.

He is the 21st recipient of the award that carries a cash prize of Rs 1.51 lakh and citation.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi will present the award to Akhtar at a function here on October 31, the martyrdom day of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

"Akhtar has constantly done yeoman work in promoting and preserving National Integration in the country," AICC treasurer Motilal Vora, who is also the Member-Secretary of the Advisory Committee of the award, said here today.

Sixty-one-year old Akhtar, who began his career as a Urdu poet, has written a huge collection of poems against communalism, social injustice, national Integration and for Women's Rights. The Ministry of Human Resource Development has declared his song, calling upon the younger generation to come forward and build up the country, the National Anthem for Youth in 1995.

His poetry reflects both his political awareness and his literary concerns.

In partnership with his associate Salim, he has scripted super hits like,"Sholay," 'Zanjeer', 'Deewar',' 'Haathi Mere Saathi', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Don', 'Trishul.' Akhtar parted ways with Salim in 1981, but continued to be successful scripting for box office hits like 'Sagar', 'Mr. India', 'Betaab', 'Arjun' and 'Lakshya.' More UNI SH AK VC1803