Renowned Journalist Kanti Bhatt Was Honoured Recently At A Unique Program In Mumbai

The veteran Gujarati journalist, Kanti Bhatt's 88th birthday was recently celebrated in a unique fashion at Mumbai in the presence of eminent

By Team Bollyy 24 Jul 2019 | Updated On 24 Jul 2019 07:21 IST in Latest Trending

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The veteran Gujarati journalist, Kanti Bhatt's 88^th birthday was recently celebrated in a unique fashion at Mumbai in the presence of eminent personalities of the society, colleagues and friends. It was a grand personal celebration by friends and family. Kanti Bhatt’s disciple and his wife Sheela Bhatt, one of the best journalists in English media today and a columnist - Editor Ashu Patel, and singer-composer Uday Mazumdar had organized this event to felicitate Kanti Bhatt, one of the most popular and senior most journalists. The event was brilliantly compeered by the well-known Playwright and author Geeta Manek.

The event began with Kantibhai’s favourite old Hindi film songs and Gujarati folk songs. Renowned singer-composer Uday Mazumdar and singers Rekha Trivedi and Saurabh Mehta made the evening melodious. At 88, age is just a number for Kanti Bhatt. He would get up and dance as and was excited like an 8 year old innocent child. While the music was going on, a slideshow also ran on the LED screen which chronicled the most important moments from his life for the guests. When his correspondence with former Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai and former Prime Minister of USA, Ronald Reagan was being displayed on the screen, he addressed the audience and said, “The power of a journalist is exceptional. It allows you to make acquaintance with the President of United States but you cannot be biased towards anyone. Give information to the people, not your opinions.” Instead of flower bouquets, he was felicitated with Tulsi plant by Sahitya Academy Award winner, Varsha Adalja, as his preference for Ayurveda and naturopathy is well known. Thereafter Ms. Varsha Adalja, Sexologist Padmashree Dr. Prakash Kothari, scientist and chairman of Indian Planetary Association, Dr. J.J Rawal, writer Saurabh Shah, feminist activist and writer Sonal Shukla, one of the organisers—Journalist Ashu Patel, Kantibhai’s old friends, Avinash Parekh, Dr. Pankaj Naram and his readers, Janmesh Thaker and Rahul Sheth shared their memories and gratitude for Kanti Bhatt. Some spoke about Kantibhai’s contribution in their lives. Some remembered his landmark stories and reporting. It was also expressed that much is needed to be done for the recognition of this great personality. Dr. J.J Rawal said that they should petition the Government that he be awarded nothing less than ‘Padma Vibhushan ’

The organizers of this celebration, Ashu Patel said that Kantibhai trained him and many other youngsters, some of them are prominent journalists today. Ashu Patel announced from the dais that to encourage and support youth who want to pursue Gujarati journalism, he and his friends, Rohan Rankja, Sajan Barwadiya and Geeta Manek will establish the “ Kanti Bhatt-Sheela Bhatt Foundation ‘. This ‘foundation will choose one brilliant journalist every year and honour them with an award and prize money of Rs. 21,000/- . Thereafter Dr. Pankaj Naram, Sonal Shukla, theatre producer Manhar Gadhia and chartered accountant Yagnesh Desai and many others expressed their willingness to contribute to this foundation. Amongst the applause, Ms. Sheela Bhatt stepped in to say a few words. She said, “Let’s call this the ‘Kanti Bhatt’ foundation only. And secondly, the prize money should be Rs. 51,000/- “

She got emotional while saying, “We completed 40 years of marriage on 16^th July. None of you were present at our wedding so it feels like you have come to celebrate today. We’ve faced many hardships in life. Sometimes we broke down. But we rose and we survived all the storms. We take care of each other even when we are not together. I wish him a long life. ”

This memorable evening concluded with Ras-Garba and a traditional Gujarati feast.

Shila Bhat