Late Shrikant Verma described him as a combative poet who never suspended his ideological or poetic intensity: Ashok Vajpeyi

• Late Shrikant Verma  Memorial ceremony held in Delhi on the 40th Death Anniversary

NEW DELHI: "Late Shrikant Verma described him as a combative poet who never suspended his ideological or poetic intensity" says as Chief Guest Ashok Vajpeyi, spoke at length about the poetry of Shrikant Verma. He said Shrikant Verma was among the important Hindi poets who identified and articulated the darkness of the 20th century through his work.

A grand memorial ceremony was held at Mavalankar Hall, New Delhi, to mark the 40th death anniversary of late Shrikant Verma, one of India’s distinguished literary figures, poets, journalists and public intellectuals. The event, titled ‘Shrikant Verma Smriti Samaroh’ and ‘Shrikant Verma Smaranjali’, was jointly organized by Vishva Hindi Parishad and Shrikant Verma Trust.

The ceremony began with an introduction to the life, literary contribution, journalism and public role of late Shrikant Verma. This was followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by distinguished guests, senior literary personalities and members of the Verma family.

Dr. Bipin Kumar, National General Secretary of Vishva Hindi Parishad, VHP, demanded that late Shrikant Verma be honoured with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, and announced that a formal memorandum in this regard would be submitted to the Government of India.

On behalf of Shrikant Verma Trust, Dr. Abhishek Verma felicitated the literary personalities and distinguished guests by presenting them copies of Shrikant Verma’s celebrated work ‘Magadh’ along with pearl malas. A four minute documentary on the literary contribution, creative personality and intellectual legacy of Shrikant Verma was also screened.

Remembering his father with deep emotion, Dr. Abhishek Verma said that late Shrikant Verma continued to struggle until the very end while battling cancer. He announced that a special programme would be organized on 18 September, the birth anniversary of Shrikant Verma, to honour excellence in literature, journalism, art and young literary writing. The proposed honours include the Shikhar Samman in Literature carrying Rs. 21 lakh, Journalism Samman carrying Rs. 5 lakh, Art Samman carrying Rs. 2 lakh and Young Writer Samman, for writers below the age of 45, carrying Rs. 2 lakh.

Dr. Abhishek Verma described ‘Magadh’ as an extraordinary work of Hindi literature that captures social, political and human realities with remarkable depth and intensity. Anca Verma, Managing Trustee of Shrikant Verma Trust, spoke emotionally about Shrikant Verma’s enduring influence. She said that he was a great and deeply sensitive poet. Although she had never met him personally, she said she continues to learn from him through his writings. His sensitivity and the depth of his words remain a source of inspiration.

Eminent writer and art critic Shri Vinod Bhardwaj, Former editor of Jansatta, Shri Om Thanvi, Art, culture, film and theatre critic Shri Ravindra Tripathi, Senior journalist Smt. Aditi Rajput, Noted academic Prof. Puran Chand Tandon, Shri Vinod Bhardwaj, Smt. Prof. Arvind Tripathi and several writers, journalists, intellectuals and artists. also said on his death anniversary.

The ceremony concluded with two minutes of silence in memory of late Shrikant Verma. The event served not only as a tribute, but also as a meaningful reaffirmation of Shrikant Verma’s invaluable contribution to Hindi literature, journalism and intellectual discourse.