NEW DELHI, Jan 16: Renowned Urdu writer Ali Sardar Jafri has been chosen for the prestigious Jnanpeeth Award for 1997 for his outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Indian literature. A decision to this effect was taken by the Jnanpeeth Award Selection Board which met today under the chairmanship of Dr Karan Singh.The award carries a cheque for Rs 2.5 lakh, a citation and a bronze replica of Vagdevi.Speaking to The Indian Express, Jafri said ``I feel very happy that I have won a just award like Jnanpeeth. It is a great honour. The award is not given by language people, but by intellectuals and writers. To a writer, it is a big recognition from the people of this country. There are many others who also deserve this award and I am sure their turn will also come.''Jafri, who has been selected for the award for his creative writing since 1977, is the third Urdu writer after Firaq Gorakhpuri (1969) and Qurratulain Hyder (1989) to be honoured with the award, the Bharatiya Jnanpeeth said in a press release.The award is likely to be presented in April.Born on November 29, 1913, in Ballarpur town of Uttar Pradesh, Sardar Jafri was involved in several social, political and literary movements.The books that established him as a distinguished Indian poet include Parwaz, Nai Duniya Ko Salaam, Khoon Ki Lakeer, Asia Jag Utha, Patthar Ki Deewar, Ek Khwab Aur, Pairahan-e-Sharar and Lahu Pukarta Hai.His writings have been translated into many Indian and foreign languages.Sardar Jafri's life has been that of a creative and activist writer and he is known not only as an Urdu poet, but as an eminent Indian writer.``Jafri represents those who are fighting against injustice and oppression in society,'' the Bharatiya Jnanpeeth said.
