The 25th International Literature Festival organised by the Hindi-Urdu Sahitya Award Committe in association with the UP Sangeet Natak Academy , is dedicated to writers of Hindi and Urdu literature, Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Majrooh Sultanpuri. The inaugural ceremony on Saturday witnessed the presence of famous personalities from the field of art, literature and politics.

Naved Siddiqui, chairman, SNA, and Athar Nabi gave welcome speeches. Writers of Urdu and Hindi literature were then felicitated by Dr Sharib Rudualvi. The awardees in cluded Dr Ganga Prasad Vimal, Dr Sarla Shukla, Dr Seema Sinha, Atul Tiwari, Munawwar Rana and Dr Ali Ahmed Fatimi among others.

Popular ghazal singer Chandan Dass regaled the audience with his performance later, singing ghazals like Dil Mein Dard Ho Toh Dawa Dijiye. Theatre person Salim Arif convened the musical session. The two hour long inaugural ceremony ended with speeches by Technical Education minister Shivakant Ojha and Dr Sharib Rudaulvi, with both emphasizing the need of promoting regional literature.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / Renu Singh, TNN / June 24th, 2014