Bollywood writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar has won the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020. He is the first Indian to bag the award for critical thinking, advancing human progress and humanist values. Be it on social media or sessions in different cities, Akhtar has been vocal about various topics and put forward his views. Reacting to the news, Akhtar's wife Shabana Azmi said, "He is the only Indian ever (to win the award). Previous recipients include Bill Maher and Christopher Hitchens. It is a huge honour."
The award has been presented since 2003, and is named after English evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Actress Dia Mirza, director Nikkhil Advani and others also congratulated the veteran writer through social media posts. Dia Mirza wrote, "Javed Akhtar Saab has won the the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He is the only Indian to have won this award! @Javedakhtarjadu Congratulations! You make us proud."
Nikkhil Advani tweeted, "Congratulations @Javedakhtarjadu for standing tall in the face of injustice and adversity. You are shining example to us all." Urmila Matondkar also congratulated him through a tweet.
Javed Akhtar has been very active on Twitter and last month, he made his Instagram debut. His wife, veteran actor Shabana Azmi, welcomed him on the platform. "So finally you're on insta! Welcome,” she wrote on her page alongside a photograph of Akhtar, which also acts as his display picture.
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