Javed Akhtar Becomes The First Indian To Win The Richard Dawkins Award, Says: ‘Wasn’t Sure They Would Know Of My Existence’
Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar’s father and one of the best lyricists and screenwriters Javed Akhtar has bagged the Richard Dawkins Award. He says that ‘this win will tell the world that there are people in India who express views’
Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar’s father and one of the best lyricists and screenwriters Javed Akhtar has bagged Richard Dawkins Award for his contribution to secularism, free thinking, for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He becomes the first Indian to win the award which was previously helmed by Bill Maher and Christopher Hitchens and many more. Yesterday, Javed’s wife Shabana Azmi announced this delightful news on her Twitter handle.
Her tweet read, “@Javedakhtarjadu wins Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. Awesome.” In another tweet, Shabana seemed extremely excited as she wrote, “Such marvellous news. Congratulations @Javedakhtarjadu. To win an award from your Hero is the ultimate validation”
Opening up about his win to Indian Express, Javed Akhtar was quoted saying, “These are the people of the same ideology, but I wasn’t sure they would know of my existence or what I have written and my opinions. I had no idea it would reach so far! So, it is a huge recognition.” Akhtar further said, “This win will tell the world that there are people in India who express views which are sometimes not popular. Democracy has given us a gift, and we will always protect it.”
@Javedakhtarjadu wins Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking , holding religious dogma upto scrutiny,advancing human progress and humanist values. Awesome ❤️ https://t.co/tJy9CBDOzI
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) June 7, 2020
Seeing his win, Anil Kapoor also shared a heartwarming tweet and was seen congratulating Javed as the tweet read, “Knowing that Richard Dawkins has been your hero since you read 'The Selfish Gene', the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award must be extra special for you @Javedakhtarjadu Saab! It's a truly incredible honour! Congratulations!” even Dia Mirza sent him a congratulatory message, “Javed Akhtar Saab has won the the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He is the only Indian to have won this award! @Javedakhtarjadu Congratulations! You make us proud.”
He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, the Sahitya Akademi Award as well as five National Film Awards.
Image source: Wikipedia
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