Saturday, October 20, 2007

Dev Anand Conferred 'Punjab Ratan' Award


Legendary Bollywood actor-producer Dev Anand was conferred the title 'Punjab Ratan' (Jewel of Punjab) by the World Punjabi Organisation (European Division) for his outstanding contribution in the field of art and entertainment.

Describing him as "one of the greatest stars" of Bollywood, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords presented the award to the octogenarian actor at a glittering ceremony at the Landmark Hotel here on Thursday night.

Holding the trophy close to his chest, Dev Anand who was born in Gurdaspur in Punjab, said: "It will be there closest to my heart."

NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, MP and former minister Keith Vaz, NRI MP Sailesh Vara and Kartar Lalvani, Chief of Vitabiotics were among the other distinguished guests present on the occasion.

Dev Anand who was here to launch his autobiography 'Romancing With Life", said: "the whole country is proud of you Punjabis. Keep it up."

Dev Anand has won the best actor Filmfare award for Kala Pani in 1958 and Guide in 1966 and won the Filmfare Lifetime achievement award in 1991.

In 2000, he was awarded the Film Goers' "Mega Movie Maestro of the Millennium Award" in Mumbai. The President of India honoured him with the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award, India's third highest civilian award, in 2001.

He won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award for cinematic excellence in 2002. The next year, he received the special "Lifetime Achievement Award" for "Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema" at IIFA Award in Johannesburg.

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