Padmabhushan Dr. Shri Gopal Das ‘Neeraj’
Patron of Help U, Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council and lauded with one of the highest Civilian Awards ‘ Padmabhushan’, Honourable Dr Shri Gopal Das ‘Neeraj’ was born to Shri Brijkishore Saxena on January 4, 1924 in Itawa, Uttar Pradesh.
When he was only six years old, his father departed this world. Having completed his High School in 1942, he took up employment as a typist to cope with the expenses & make ends meet, alongside continuing with higher education through private boards. Indomitably, he went on to complete his Intermediate in 1949, B.A. in 1951, and completed his M.A. in the first division in Hindi Literature in 1953. After completing his education, he acted as the head of the Department of Hindi for some time.
Having entertained the International diasporas & following the epic popularity, Neeraj ji displayed inimitable skills in writing song-lyrics for films, and created golden classics like ‘Karvan Guzar Gaya, Gubaar dekhte rahe’, ‘Ae bhai, zara dekh ke chalo’, ‘Dekhti raho aaj darpan na tum’ & many wonderfully idyllic songs, & established himself as one amongst the luminaries of Bollywood & a creative colossus of the poets’ world. After a short span of time, he grew weary of the frenetic lifestyle of Mumbai & and shifted to Aligarh, where he enjoys a quiet life now.
Today, at a sprightly age of 90, he actively participates in national and international ‘Kavi Sammelans’ with a new lease of life, and avid ardor. He is the first to be honoured by the Government of India in the fields of education and literature on two different occasions. He was honoured with the Padamshree, followed by the Padambhushan.
The following couplet describes his achievements perfectly:
“Kitne badnaam hue hum to is zamaane mein, Lagengi apko sadiyan hamein bhulane mein Na peene ka saleeka, na pilane ka shaoor, Aise bhi log chale aaye maikhane mein”
“The determined endeavors of ‘Help You Educational and Charitable Trust’ towards upliftment of the society are quite commendable. I am impressed by the devotion displayed by the members of this trust towards the society. I feel happy to be associated with the trust as its Patron. I hope the members shall continue working in the same direction with the same uprightness & selfless devotion.”
