Javed Akhtar becomes the only Indian to win Richard Dawkins award

The national award-winning poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar became the first Indian to be honored with the prestigious Richard Dawkins award.

The 75-year old reacted to his win and told NDTV that it was surprising for him as he was not expecting this award for what he was speaking about the Indian political climate.



“I wasn’t sure that these people would know what I am saying, what I am writing, what I am speaking from different podiums. But thank you very much. Mr. Richard Dawkins’ letter was a very very pleasant surprise,” he said.

Shabana Azmi took to Twitter to congratulate her husband who is the only Indian to win this award in its 17-year history.

@Javedakhtarjadu wins Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking , holding religious dogma upto scrutiny,advancing human progress and humanist values. Awesome ❤️ https://t.co/tJy9CBDOzI

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) June 7, 2020

The Richard Dawkins Award has been given to individuals who “publicly proclaim the values of secularism, rationalism, upholding scientific truth”, since 2003. The previous recipients are Bill Maher, Stephen Fry, and Ricky Gervais.

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