President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated ‘Unmesha’ – International Literature Festival and ‘Utkarsh’ – Festival of Folk and Tribal Performing Arts today (August 3, 2023) at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that literature connects with people and also connects people with each other. She stated that only those literatures and arts are meaningful which were created and presented by rising above ‘I’ and ‘mine’. She added that translation of major works of all Indian languages into other languages would further enrich Indian literature.
The President said that literature has shown a mirror to humanity, saved it and also taken it forward. Literature and art have preserved sensitivity and compassion, that is, have preserved the humanity of humans. Writers and artists are entitled to admiration for being participants in this most sacred campaign for the protection of humanity.
The President said that literature gave strength to the ideals of our freedom struggle. In every corner of the country, many writers gave expression to the ideals of freedom and renaissance. Novels, stories, poems and plays written in the period of Indian renaissance and freedom struggle are popular even today, and they have a wide influence on our minds.
The President said that in a world facing many challenges, we must find effective ways to build greater understanding among peoples of different cultures and beliefs. Storytellers and poets have a central role in that effort because literature has the unique ability to connect our experiences and to transcend differences. She said that we should use the ability of literature to reveal our common destiny and strengthen our global community.
The President said that progress of tribal brothers and sisters is necessary for India to become a developed nation. Tribal youth also want to fulfil their hopes and aspirations. It should be our collective endeavour that they become partners in development while preserving their culture, ethos, customs and natural environment.
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh is fortunate that we got the privilege of hosting grand and dignified events like the International Literature Festival ‘Unmesh’ and the festival of folk and tribal expressions ‘Utkarsh’. India is a very ancient and great nation. India is the land, which gave the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Bhavantu Niramayah’, meaning that everyone should be happy and everyone should be healthy. Along with bread, clothes and house, happiness of mind, intellect and soul is also necessary for the happiness of a person. If anyone gives this happiness to man, then it is literature, music and art. Today a large number of distinguished litterateurs, artists and musicians have graced the place with their presence. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is building a glorious, flourishing, prosperous and powerful India on the one hand and on the other hand is constantly striving to preserve and promote our art, culture, traditions, literature and life values. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that “I believe that literature, art and music have the ability to keep the world united. Only art, music and literature will guide humanity burnt in the fire of materialism to eternal peace.”
Chief Minister Chouhan said that the country draws inspiration from President Smt. Murmu’s commitment to cleanliness. Faith in the traditions of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi generates a sense of respect and honour towards him and the country remembers its values. Innovations like ‘Unmesh’ and ‘Utkrish’ come to the fore only with the initiative of Shri Modi. Despite the many languages and dialects we have here, there is a basic unity in the country. Our litterateurs, artists, musicians get inspiration from such events to do better in their respective fields. Such events are capable and competent in binding the world together.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh has been the confluence of art and culture since ancient times. It has art, culture and glorious past and prosperous present. It has been the work place of litterateurs and the place of pilgrimage for artists. Bhimbaithka, Bagh, Nachnakuthar, Khajuraho are living proofs of this. There has been an ancient tradition of royal patronage of art and culture in the state. Be it Raja Bhoj or Mata Devi Ahilyabai, they devoted their lives to the patronage of literature and music. There have been gems like Banabhatta, Kalidas, Rajasekhara, Patanjali, Bhatrihari, Padmakar and Keshavdas on this land. Remembering them, we feel joy and pride. This state has been birth place of artists like Sushri Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Utsad Allauddin Khan. Our state is fortunate to have such renowned personalities of art and culture. Writers like Gopal Sharan Singh, Dada Makhanlal Chaturvedi, Harishankar Parsai, Vrindavanlal Verma, Naresh Mehta, Amritlal Vegad, Bhavani Prasad Mishra were born on this soil. Many journalists Vedpratap Vaidik, Avneesh Jain, Sushil Doshi were from here. Politicians like poet-heart respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee also belonged to this state, it was their work place. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for organising Unmesh and Utkarsh in such a state.
