Aalok Shrivastav, gazal writer from Madhya Pradesh honoured in London

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh based Gazal writer Aalok Shrivastav was honoured at the House of Commons by Katha UK, a British cultural organization.
Shrivastav, a native of MP's Vidisha district was felicitated with ViKatha UK Hindi Ghazal Award in London on Thursday.
“His ghazals have not only made us nostalgic but has taken us back home to our villages and towns and reminded us about the warmth of lost relations.While sitting here in the Committee Room of the House of Commons we all were lost in the memories of our late parents. The sensitivity of the modern Hindi ghazal reaffirms my faith in human relations,” said Virendra Sharma (British MP) while speaking at the House of Commons on the occasion.
Katha UK Hindi Ghazal Award was to Aalok Shrivastav in the House of Commons on 5th November 2015.
Accepting the award a visibly moved Aalok Shrivastav said, “While accepting this award in the August House of Commons, I think it is not my personal glory. In fact the genre of Hindi ghazal is being honoured at the international level.”
Continuing his emotional speech, Aalok emphasised the role if social background and concerns in the development of his writing journey.
Noted writer and General Secretary Tejinder Sharma said, “The ghazals of Aalok Shrivastav represent the Ganga-Jamuni culture of India. The genre of Ghazal, Geet and Doha are going through a difficult time. At such a juncture Aalok’s ghazals re-assure us that the genre of Ghazal writing would be able to maintain its popularity among the youth of India.”
The patron of Katha UK British-Councillor Zakia Zubairi made a very pertinent remark when she said, “The language of Ghazal has always been Hindustani and not Hindi or Urdu. I am pleased that Aalok’s ghazals communicate with us in this Hindustani dialect.”
The Hindi and Culture Office Binod Kumar welcomed Aalok Shrivastav and other guests on behalf of the Indian High Commission in London.
The citation was read by Jai Verma, chairperson of Kavya Rang (Nottingham) while Kailash Budhwar presented a detailed study of the Sufi element of the ghazal with special reference to Aalok Shrivastav.
Despite the day long rain in London, the full house at the Committee Room of the House of Commons was the proof of Aalok’s popularity with the British audience, according to an official release. Eminent writers, poets and journalists from Hindi and Urdu world were present to underline the importance of the event.