Ajmal Sultanpuri was a 97-year-old renowned Urdu poet, who passed away recently in his native place Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The poet was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy in March 2016 for his significant contribution to Urdu poetry. He has written several Urdu poems and some of his noted poems include “Kahan Hai Mera Hindustan” and “Agar Main Tera Shahjahan”. He protested against social discrimination in his early age and his poems are based on communal harmony and multiculturalism of India.

Acharya Vinoba Bhave was a nonviolence activist, freedom activist, social reformer and spiritual teacher. An avid follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba upheld his doctrines of non-violence and equality. He dedicated his life to serving the poor and the downtrodden and stood up for their rights. Most of his adult life he led an ascetic style of existence centred on spiritual beliefs of right and wrong.

Explanation: Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, was an Indian Army officer of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, posthumously awarded the India’s highest military honour, Param Vir Chakra for his audacious courage and leadership during adverse times. He died during the attack on Jubar Top, Khalubar Hills in Batalik Sector, Kargil. His actions have led to him being referred to as the “Hero of Batalik”.

Thus, the Plan of Award, which has governed the prizes since their inception in 1917, has been revised frequently.

Jnanpith Award