Naidilli: 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 programme brought together literary discussion, poetry recitation, remembrance and felicitation. Its objective was to carry forward Shrikant Verma’s literary, intellectual, journalistic and cultural legacy to the younger generation and to keep alive the rich tradition of Hindi literature.
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, welcomed the guests and recalled the powerful literary contribution of Shrikant Verma. He said that Shrikant Verma gave voice to the pain of his times, the anguish of society and the silence of power through his poetry. Despite being close to the corridors of power, he had the courage to question power. Dr. Bipin Kumar also 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.
The Chief Guest, senior litterateur Shri Ashok Vajpeyi, spoke at length about the poetry of Shrikant Verma. He described him as a combative poet who never suspended his ideological or poetic intensity. He said Shrikant Verma was among the important Hindi poets who identified and articulated the darkness of the 20th century through his work.
Eminent writer and art critic Shri Vinod Bhardwaj delivered a thoughtful address on ‘Art and Criticism’. He said that Shrikant Verma’s creative temperament was distinct from many of his contemporaries. He observed that while the world changes, memories remain.
Former editor of Jansatta, Shri Om Thanvi, spoke on ‘The Intellectual Temperament of Shrikant Verma’. He said that Shrikant Verma was both a major literary figure and a major journalist. He added that whenever the journalism of Dinman is remembered, Shrikant Verma is remembered with respect.
He represented an era when writers played a vital role in journalism.
Art, culture, film and theatre critic Shri Ravindra Tripathi spoke on “Journalism and Shrikant Verma”. He said that journalism is an important medium to understand what is happening in society and that the history of journalism and modern literature is deeply interconnected.
Senior journalist Smt. Aditi Rajput, speaking on “Contemporary Journalism and Shrikant Verma”, said that Shrikant Verma taught us that journalism is not merely an industry, but a form of public consciousness. She said journalism was once a mission, later became a profession and today is increasingly influenced by market pressures.
Noted academic Prof. Puran Chand Tandon spoke on ‘Fiction and Literature’. He said that Shrikant Verma’s prose reflects his compassion and sensitivity. His writings reveal a deep sense of time, society and national consciousness.
The vote of thanks was delivered by noted critic Prof. Arvind Tripathi. The event was attended by Shri Om Thanvi, Dr. Puran Chand Tandon, Shri Ravindra Tripathi, Dr. Bipin Kumar, Shri Ashok Vajpeyi, Shri Vinod Bhardwaj, Smt. Aditi Rajput, Prof. Arvind Tripathi and several writers, journalists, intellectuals and artists.
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.
