President confers Lifetime Achievement Award to Gulzar. Full list of winners

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday graced the sixth edition of Sahitya Aaj Tak, India’s premier literary festival, organised by Aaj Tak, India’s ‘Sabse Tez’ news channel. The three-day celebration of literary excellence is being held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from November 22 to 24.
In a highlight of the event, President Murmu presented the prestigious Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Samman awards, recognising the contributions of established luminaries and emerging talents in the literary world.

President Droupadi Murmu presents poet and lyricist Gulzar the Sahitya AajTak Lifetime Achievement Award. (X/@rashtrapatibhvn)

The festival’s crowning moment came with the conferral of the Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award on Gulzar, the legendary poet, lyricist, and filmmaker, for his unparalleled contributions to Indian literature and cinema.
India Today Group Vice Chairperson Kalli Purie underscored the enduring value of literature as a bridge to the past and a compass for the future. However, she also expressed concern over the decline of literary traditions due to the increasing dominance of social media.
Kalli Purie emphasised the importance of honouring writers who have enriched society through their contributions, stating that recognising these literary luminaries is crucial in revitalising and fostering literary traditions.
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Udeeymaan Lekhika Samman
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Udeeymaan Lekhak Samman
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Bharatiya Bhasha Pratibha Samman
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Lokpriya Lekhak Samman
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Bharatiya Bhasha Samman 2024
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Sarvashreshth Rachna Samman 2024
AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Sarvashreshth Rachna Samman 2024
After conferring the awards, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the event and thanked India Today Group for celebrating literature and recognising its creators and emerging talents.
“An organisation that honours literature and writers strengthens its trust in the future. I commend the India Today Group for organising this felicitation ceremony. I especially congratulate Gulzar sahab for receiving the prestigious AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award,” President Murmu said.
As the recipient of the prestigious AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award, Gulzar will be honoured with a prize of Rs 11 lakh, a commemorative plaque, and a citation.
Other winners, chosen meticulously by an eminent jury, will be awarded cash prizes between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000, accompanied by commemorative plaques and citations, celebrating their contributions to the literary landscape.