Kapil Sibal recites poem for TV awards

Sibal had written the poem (Aankh khuli azad thi mein) in the wake of the Delhi gang rape (December 2012). During the performance by actors Disha Parmar and Sneha Wagh, an audio-visual was played with Sibal reciting the poem.

Most awards shows are light-hearted and focus on the entertainment, but this time an event hosted by a TV channel went on a different route. Other than packing in the song-and-dance routines for the audiences, the organisers are aiming to create awareness about women and the issues that they face.

And to help with that, politician Kapil Sabil’s poem, ‘Aankh khuli azad thi mein', was used during an act in the show.

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Sibal had written the poem in the wake of the Delhi gang rape that shocked the nation in December 2012. And during the performance by actors Disha Parmar and Sneha Wagh, an audiovisual was played with Sibal reciting the poem.

A source says, “The decision to run the audiovisual clip during the act was taken by Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India. He also met Sibal and used his voice instead of having someone else recite the poem.”

Sibal’s poem reads: ‘Aankh khuli azad thi main, azadi mein zanjeerein kyun, mere bhi kuch sapne the, bedardi se tode kyun...’ (I opened my eyes and I was free, so why are there restrictions on my freedom? I had dreams, why were they destroyed cruelly?) Sibal has also released a collection of his previous poems in a book, My World Within.

The source adds, “Uday and Sibal decided to use the poem since the theme of the shows this year was women’s empowerment. The acts are a tribute to women and focus on how women are treated in society.”