07th January, 2024 , Delhi :
On the 9th death anniversary of Padma Shri Virendra Prabhakar, Constitutional Club in Delhi organized a poetry evening and felicitation ceremony in collaboration with Chitrakala Sangam. During the ceremony, senior Congress leader Shri Rajiv Shukla, President of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee Shri Arvind Singh Lovely, and Chitrakala Sangam representatives Shri Ashok Jain and Ravi Jain honored senior journalist Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi.
Additionally, several individuals working in various sectors of society were also honored. The program was hosted by senior Congress leader and editor of the national weekly Vishwaas, Vijay Mohan. Although due to prior commitments, Congress General Secretary Ms. Priyanka Gandhi couldn’t attend the event, she expressed her regrets and sent her message.
AICC General Secretary Ms. Priyanka Gandhi stated that Padma Shri Virendra Prabhakar was among those fortunate individuals who were witnesses to the first light of our independence. He observed the world through his artistic perspective, documented it, and received recognition through various awards. We are delighted to know that Chitrakala Sangam and his sons organize a poetry evening and felicitation ceremony in his memory every year.
On the occasion, honored senior journalist Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi addressed the gathering and explained how the paintings of Virendra Prabhakar played a significant role in the development and transformation of Delhi. Chaturvedi mentioned that the story of solving and developing solutions for 70% of the problems, especially in East Delhi, was written through the paintings of the late Virendra Prabhakar.
Congress MP and BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla remarked that in our journalistic and social interactions, Padma Shri Virendra Prabhakar was more than just a shadow journalist; he was a friend who maintained equality for everyone. We are extremely pleased that both of his sons, Ashok Jain and Ravi Jain, have continued his legacy and contributions.
Rajiv Shukla also mentioned that humorist poet Arun Jaitley has proposed organizing a poetry evening for the country’s cricketers, and we will also consider this proposal.
Arvinder Singh Lovely, the President of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, stated that Padma Shri Virendra Prabhakar’s work had a profound impact on the entire Delhi, especially Old Delhi. His words continue to resonate both in his time and today, reflecting his timeless relevance. Lovely mentioned that it is a testament to their upbringing that both of his sons are actively engaged in societal activities.
During the program, Arjun Kumar, the President of Luv Kush Ramleela Committee, and social worker, along with senior journalist Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi, and literary enthusiast Haripal Singh, among others, shed light on the personality and contributions of Padma Shri Virendra Prabhakar.