The Yash Bharati award, which was started by SP government in 1994 and was discontinued by Mayawati in 2007, is given to people who have contributed in the fields of art and literature.
On the occasion of 103rd anniversary of Ram Manohar Lohia, the CM felicitated prominent personalities, which also included playback singers Abhijit Bhattacharya and Javed Ali; and famous theatre artist Amir Raza Hussain.
Referring to the ideology of Lohia, Yadav said that SP had always tried to follow his path.
"In SP government our effort will be to take UP ahead on the path shown by Lohia," he said.
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Laying foundation of Jai Prakash International Centre and Janeshwar Mishra park, the chief minister expressed hope that the projects will be completed before the schedule.
"Lohia taught us to fight against injustice in a non violent manner. It is due to following his path SP got clear mandate in the Assembly elections," SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said while speaking on the occasion.