Poet Bekal Utsahi passed away

World renowned Urdu poet Mohammad Shafi Khan popularly known as Bekal Utsahi passed away in New Delhi on 3rd December. He was 88.
●    Known for his distinct poetry promoting Hindu-Muslim unity and celebrating composite Indian culture Bekal Utsahi had been a Rajya Sabha MP and a member of National Integration Council.
●    Bekal Utsahi apart from promoting peace building through his poetry wrote extensively against the British rule and served prison sentences several times during India’s freedom struggle.
●    The introduction of Mushaira Tahzeeb is greatly attributed to Bekal Utsahi who was part of the first delegation of Indian Urdu poets who went outside the country for a Mushaira.
●    In 1976 Utsahi received the Padma Shri which is the fourth highest civilian award in India.
●    He had become Bekal Varsi after a visit to Dargah of Hazrat Vaaris Ali Shah Dewa Shareef in 1945. 
●    A few years later in 1952 Jawahar Lal Nehru impressed by his composition ‘Kisan Bharat Ka’ called him an Utsahi Shayar (enthusiastic poet).