Noida, 14th Oct 2023 – The grand finale of the 9th Global Literary Festival Noida 2023 witnessed a prestigious event as the 6th Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Award for the Promotion of Art and Culture was presented, honoring the legacy of the eminent former Prime Minister and illustrious poet, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Distinguished personalities from various corners of India were awarded for their exceptional contributions to art and culture in a spectacular ceremony held at Marwah Film City in Noida. 

Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of the Global Literary Festival and Chancellor of AAFT University, paid a heartfelt tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, acknowledging his significant roles as a three-time Prime Minister and a celebrated poet-journalist. Dr. Marwah shared nostalgic memories of his interactions with Vajpayee and emphasized how the former Prime Minister’s remarkable engagement with artists inspired the inception of this esteemed award. He reiterated, “This award will forever remind us of his profound love for art and culture.” 

H.E. Sinisa Pavic, Ambassador of Serbia to India with additional charge of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, graced the event and expressed his privilege in presenting these prestigious awards in the domain of art and culture. He applauded the recipients for their outstanding contributions and highlighted the unifying strength of art and culture within society. 

A special segment dedicated to a lifetime achievement award recognized Dr. Rama Singh, a distinguished poet with a remarkable writing career spanning over 60 years, honoring her dedication and talent in the literary realm. 

The highly prestigious Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Award for the Promotion of Art & Culture was then conferred upon remarkable individuals who have made indelible contributions in their respective domains: Padma Shri Pt. Ram Dayal Sharma – National level writer, Padma Shri Krishna Kanhai – Renowned artist and painter with a trail of exceptional records in painting, Ustad Akram Khan – Well-known Tabla Player, actively involved in hundreds of concerts worldwide, Sameer ‘Anjaan’ Shitala Pandey – Popular lyrics writer, Kumari Somashekhari – Renowned Indian Classical Dancer, Sitesh Alok – Well-known writer, Dolly Dabral – Well-known Indian Classical Dancer, originally from Germany,and  Aditya Arya – Renowned Photographer with a world-class Museum to his credit. 

In gratitude, Dr. Sandeep Marwah presented a memento of the 9th Global Literary Festival Noida 2023 to H.E. Sinisa Pavic, while Sushil Bharti proposed a vote of thanks to conclude this remarkable event.

The 6th Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Award for Promotion of Art and Culture celebrated the transformative power of art and culture to unite and inspire, recognizing outstanding achievers and paying homage to the legendary statesman and poet, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

6th Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Award For Promotion Of Art And Culture Honors Distinguished Personalities