To celebrate the martyrdom of Maharani Laxmibai, The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) an autonomous body of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India recently organised Yuva Kavya Puraskar & Kavi Sammelan / Mushaira, where Dr. M.S. Gill (Hon'ble Minister for Youth Affairs & Sport, Govt. of India) felicitated the poets for their contributions about Jung-E-Azadi. On this occasion Dr. Ashok Chakradhar, Prof. Makhmoor Syedi, Shri Gauhar Raza, Dr. Ahmed Mehfuz, Prof. Mridula Mukherjee, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Shri Vageesh Jha and around 200 members of NYKS were present there.

The unique concept was to acknowledge the poetic contributions for 1857 Revolt and compile it together and dedicate to martyrs, freedom fighters by publishing it and try to take it amongst youths of today.

Almost 136 entries from 500 districts of India were received. The entries were selected by 4 member jury and finally they selected the 12 best entries of 13-35 age group writers. Along with 12 selected entries total of 85 entries were selected for compilation of Jung-E-Azadi Saajhe Yuva Geet Yuva Kavya Sanklan which was released during closing ceremony of year long celebrations for India's first war for independence.

The 12 selected writers were awarded recently in a function organised at Teen Murti Auditorium by NYKS. The day (17th June) was also important as it was the day of Maharani Laxmibai's martyrdom. Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Khan (Director General, NYKS) welcomed the guests while socialist Vageesh Kumar Jha reviewed Saajha Yuva Song of Jung-E-Azadi. During the program all the guests shared their views.

Anjani Kumar Suman (Munger, Bihar) was awarded first prize for his poetry 'Vidroh 1857' whereas Amrendra Kumar (Jahanabad, Bihar) & Vyanjak Dikshit (Banda, UP) got second and third award was given to Manju (Nagloi, Delhi) & Manish Swapnil (Khagadia, Bihar). The awardees received a purse of Rs. 2500/- (first), Rs. 2000/- (second) and Rs. 1500/- (third) along with Certificate and shield.

On this occasion Dr. M.S. Gill hailed the efforts of all the awardees and said it's very important that the youth should participate in various activities at the national level, their efforts deserve appreciation at every level.

On this occasion all the awardees presented their poetry and made their presence felt. The winner of first prize Anjani Kumar Suman presented 'Sattawan Me Talwaron Ne Azadi Ka Dhwaj Lahraya, Mangal Ke Vidrohi Swar Ne Angrejon Ka Gaurav Dhaya...'.

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