Gulzar nominated for 27th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration

Renowned poet and film-maker Gulzar has been nominated for the 27th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration. Congress President Sonia Gandhi will give away the 27th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration to the 75-year-old lyricist and writer on October 31 in recognition of his  yeoman work in promoting and preserving spirit of national integration in the country.

The Award consists of a citation and cash of Rs. 5 lakh. Before Gulzar, some of the other film personalities who received the award are director Shyam Benegal, lyricist Javed Akhtar, music composer AR Rahman and writer Mahashweta Devi.
Former Presidents APJ Abdul Kalam and Shankar Dayal Sharma, late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, late Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, the former head of Ramkrishna Math and Mission Swami Ranganathananda, musician MS Subulakshmi, Aruna Asaf Ali, PN Haksar, Acharya Shree Tulsi Ji, Bishambar Nath Paride and Natwar Thakkar are among the other awardees.
The award instituted in the name of late Indira Gandhi is given in recognition to outstanding contribution to this cause by individuals or institutions.
Among the institutions, which have received this award so far are Bharat Scouts & Guides, Paramdharn Ashram Paunar (Wardha), Gandhi Institute of Public Affairs, Tumkur, Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration, Ram-Rahim Nagar Slum Dwellers Association, Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Narainpur-Chhattisgarh.