NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Panchkula, Haryana, India, 2006/06/09 - Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh today honoured the legendry Bollywood Director & Producer Yash Chopra with Punjab Rattan Award .

Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh today honoured the legendry Bollywood Director & Producer Yash Chopra with Punjab Rattan Award. Presiding over the first ever Punjab Rattan Award conferring ceremony held here at Hotel Taj, Capt. Singh said that Yash Chopra was one of the most charismatic and powerful directors in the Indian film industry, his name synonymous with the glamour of the romantic film and a style within Indian culture.
Mr. Chopra was a versatile personality who through his sheer acumen and fine qualities of head and heart had reached the zenith of his career spanning over more than four decades. Capt. Singh said that it was a rare honour for Mr. Chopra who made excellent films depicting the human values and culture of Indian society in general and Punjabi in particular.

Capt. Singh appreciated Mr. Chopra for his legendary creation "Veer Zara" for instrumental in fostering friendship, mutual trust and understanding amongst the people of Indian Punjab and Pakistan Punjab. He said that Mr. Chopra's outstanding contribution towards the promotion of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat would be ever cherished by one and all.

On the occasion, Cultural Affairs Minister Partap Singh Bajwa read the citation and described Mr. Yash Chopra as the living legend of Indian Film Industry who strode like a colossus on the cinematic scene. Endowed with a rare vision, he has defined our national psyche by projecting the deepest desires and aspirations of our people through his films. Gifted with pure creative imagination, he has given us 35 memorable films which have won six National Awards, nine film fare awards including best director award for four times.
It is a matter of great pride for the Government of Punjab its people to confer the "Punjab Rattan Award" today upon this great son of the soil and prays that his creative genius keeps on flourishing forever. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yash Chopra said that he was really indebted to the Punjab Government for bestowing this great honour on him being a humble son of the soil of Punjab. He commended Capt. Singh for his benevolent gesture for the exemption of entertainment tax on Veer Zara.

Felicitating the great gesture of Capt. Singh, Mr. Chopra said that only a King could do like this even without a formal request from our side. On contrary he had to run from pillar to post for tax exemption in other state. "I have no wards to express my sentiments for the love and affection shown by Capt. Singh for Veer Zara. Capt. Singh even took the DVDs of Veer Zara to present them to President, Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief Minister of west Punjab" said Mr. Chopra. On the occasion noted lyrist Javed Akhtar and renowned actor Anupam Kher also spoke. A 28 minutes film on the life-time achievements of Shri Yash Chopra was also screened.

Sufi Kalam of Wadali Brothers also regaled the audience on the occasion. Senior Ministers, MLAs and eminent people from all walks of life also attended the ceremony.

Agency / Source: ABC News Network / CitizenXpress

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