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Jnanpith for Ali Sardar Jafri

Ali Sardar Jafri, the celebrated Urdu writer, has been chosen for the highest literary honour in the country, the Jnanpith Award.

He is the third Urdu writer to be thus honoured -- Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq Gorakhpuri' (1969) and Qurratulain Hyder (1989) being the other two.

The decision was taken was taken by the Jnanpith Award selection board headed by Dr Karan Singh. The award carries a cheque for Rs 250,000, a citation and a bronze replica of Vagdevi.

Born on November 29, 1913 in Ballarpur in Uttar Pradesh, Ali Sardar Jafri has been a writer since 1927. 'Jafri represents those who are fighting against injustice and oppression in society,' the Bharatiya Jnanpith said on Friday.

Among the books that brought him fame are Parwaz, Nai Duniya Ko Salaam, Khoon Ki Lakeer, Asia Jag Utha, Patthar Ki Deewar, Ek Khwab Aur, Pairahan-e-Sharar and Lahu Pukarta Hai.

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