Eminent lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar will be awarded the 'Namdeo Dhasal Samashti Award' at this year's Samashti Arts and Literature Festival. This honor will be given to him for his contribution in the field of literature and language. The event will be held on 11 and 12 April at Annabhau Sathe Auditorium, Byculla, Central area of Mumbai.

Samashti Foundation recently announced that Javed Akhtar will be awarded this prestigious award for his contribution to Hindi cinema in song, dialogue and story writing. Javed Akhtar's contribution to taking Indian cinema forward is extremely important. He has been awarded many awards before this as well.

This program is being organized in memory of famous Marathi poet and Dalit activist Namdev Dhasal (1949-2014). Namdev Dhasal's real name was Namdev Laxman Dhasal. He was a resident of Maharashtra and raised his voice against casteism through his poems and writings. He died in 2014 due to cancer. The festival is entering its eighth year this year.

Apart from Javed Akhtar, journalist Gyanesh Maharao will be honoured with the Satyashodhak Samman. IPS officer Sandeep Tamgadge will also be given the Namdeo Dhasal Samashti Award. Apart from this, journalist Raju Parulekar, Dr. Shyamal Garud, Amol Deolekar and advocate Disha Wadekar will also be honoured. All these persons have played an important role in bringing positive change in the society. In this programme, these strong personalities of the society will be honoured, who have made remarkable contributions in various fields.