Bekal Utsahi

Bekal Utsahi
Bekal Utsahi in 2013
Born	1928 Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died	3 December 2016 (aged 88)[1] New Delhi, India
Residence	New Delhi, Balrampur
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Poet, writer, politician
Organization	Indian National Congress
Known for	National Integration, Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb
Spouse(s)	Begum Sughra Rose
Website	http://bekalutsahi.webs.com

Bekal Utsahi (1928 – 3 December 2016) was a poet, writer and politician. He was a congressman close to Indira Gandhi and a Member of Parliament in the Upper House Rajya sabha. He received several national awards, including the Padma Shri and Yash Bharti.

Early life

Bekal Utsahi is a former member of Rajya Sabha. In 1976 he received the Padmashree Award in literature. During a visit to the Mazar of Hazrat Vaaris Ali Shah of Dewa Sharif in 1945 Shah Hafiz Pyari Miyan quoted, "Bedam Gaya Bekal aaya". After that incident Mohammad Shafi Khan changed his name as "Bekal Varsi". During the period of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952 an interesting event happened, which resulted in the emergence of Utsahi. There was an election programme of congress party in Gonda at that time. Bekal Varsi welcomed Nehru with his poetry "Kisan Bharat Ka". Nehru was very much impressed and said, "Yeh hamara utsahi shayar hai". Finally he is known as Bekal Utsahi in the literary world.

Politics

Utsahi was actively involved with Indian National Congress and very close to Indira Gandhi. He was nominated by congress as a Member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, because of his contribution for national integration.^[2] He is also Member of National Integration Council chaired by Prime Minister of India.^[3]

Awards

Utsahi received the Padma Shri award in 1976. He received Yash Bharti Award from Uttar Pradesh Government.^[4]

References

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