Vadodara: Super-star Amitabh Bachchan, who was conferred prestigious Sayaji Ratna Award by the Baroda Management Association, here today remembered his parents especially father and legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachhan and also recited his famous poem ‘Agnipath’ on the occasion.

He also appealed the younger generation to respect their parents saying that he felt immense pain and disturbed when he hears that parents were being thrown out of home and sent to old-age homes.
‘I am here because of the blessings of my parents. Everyone should respect one’s parents,’ he said.

He also reminisced many of his memories with his father including during school and college days.

He also said that his father had decided to name him ‘Inqalab’ before his birth as his mother had participated in a quit India rally in his native city of Allahabad in 1942 but he was named Amitabh on the suggestion of famous poet Sumitranandan Pant.

He said that he got many life-mantra from his father whom he fondly called Babuji.

In the end he recited poetry Agnipath saying that he drew inspiration from it whenever felt down and depressed.

The award recognizes and acknowledges living legends of India, for their iconic character and outstanding contribution in the field of Business, Sports, Arts, Humanity, Education, Governance or Medicine. He is the third personality to receive this prestigious award. The 1st Sayaji Ratna Award was presented to N. Narayana Murthy (Founder, lnfosys Ltd. in 2013) and the 2nd was presented to Ratan Tata, Chairman of TATA Group in 2015.

This time it was decided to confer the award to a person of eminence from “Arts & Culture”. The Award Jury noted Amitabh Bachchan’s key contribution in promoting various social cause, inspiring millions of artists across the globe and establishing highest standards of excellence. Jury also felt that he is an institution himself and hence this award.

DeshGujarat