Renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar has been honored with the prestigious Namdeo Dhasal Samashti Award for his outstanding contributions to literature and language. The award was presented during the Samashti Art and Literature Festival, held on April 11-12 at Annabhau Sathe Auditorium in Mumbai’s central Byculla area.

This esteemed festival, now in its eighth year, pays tribute to the legacy of celebrated Marathi poet and Dalit activist Namdeo Dhasal. Alongside Akhtar, other notable awardees included: Journalist Dnyanesh Maharao – Satyashodhak Sanman,

Namdeo Dhasal Samashti Award for Ethical Service: IPS officer Sandeep Tamgadge, recognized for his remarkable work in the police force and groundbreaking research on sickle cell disease in Maharashtra- Felicitations: Journalist Raju Parulekar, Dr. Shyamal Garud, Amol Deolekar, and Advocate Disha Wadekar for their significant contributions to society

The Samashti Foundation, organizer of the festival, aims to create an inclusive platform for expressing real issues through language, performance, and creativity. According to Swapnil Dhasal, the festival’s convener and newly elected president of Dalit Panther, the foundation has been working tirelessly to achieve this goal over the past eight years.