Delhi Study Group celebrates life and career of Dev Anand

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The Delhi Study Group led by Dr. Vijay Jolly, held celebrations at Constitution Club, New Delhi, Sept. 27, 2023, for the centennial birthday of iconic Bollywood actor Dev Anand, whose personality is often described as ‘evergreen.’

A movie on Life & Times of Dev Anand along with his 25 popular hit songs produced by Delhi Study Group Social Media Convener Shalu Kumari was played at the event, a press release from organizers said.

Chief Guest Rajat Sharma, Chairman India TV from London, addressed the meeting by Zoom. He showered accolades on the never-say-die spirit of Dev Anand, who was a ‘workoholic’ but always smiling and joyful.

Virendra Sachdeva, President, Bharatiya Janata Party Delhi, said  he admired and followed the evergreen star for his acting skills and puffy hair style. “I wanted to replicate Dev Anand. But landed in politics in actual life,” Sachdeva quipped.

Dev Anand’s son Suneil Anand while addressing the program from Navketan Film Studio, Mumbai, said his late father was not only young in looks but also in action and thoughts.

Born in 1923 in undivided Hindustan, “he was a modern soul with a modern outlook,” Suneil Anand said. “I am honored and blessed as the successor son of Dev Anand’s legacy,” he added, thanking Delhi Study Group, and the millions of fans around the world.

The other speakers included Gadar-2 movie Actor Rohit Chaudhary and Fiji High Commissioner Kamlesh S. Prakash.

Diplomats led by Bhutan DCM K. Dorji, Greece DCM A. Boudouris, a representative from the Consulate of Panama, and others participated. Indians living abroad addressed the meeting via Zoom. They included Lord Rami Ranger (London House of Lords), Manju Jehu (Community Women Leader, Brisbane, Australia), Pramod Bhagat ( Social Leader, New York, USA), Dr. Swarup Ranjan Mishra ( Ex-NRI MP, Kenya), Dr. Saiyam Brahmbhatt ( Young Medical Intern, Scotland).

The program was beamed & followed thru Facebook Live in 156 nations worldwide, organizers said. K.K. Bhargava President Dev Anand Fans Forum presided while the program was compered by Former South Delhi Mayor Narendra Chawla.

Dr. Jolly in his brief address said that debonair Dev Anand is Live @ 100 in modern times. “Dev Anand was a true Karamyogi who motivated young & old for many generations,’ Jolly said, adding that the actor had taught him to dress smartly, think and speak positively, remain young.