Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki on Sunday hailed the deliberations of the first ever three-day Haryana Sahitya Sangam, as a landmark in the history of the state, and expressed confidence that it would provide a new high to literature in Haryana.
While addressing a gathering of scholars at the concluding ceremony of the literary festival at Panchkula, which saw the participation of about 5,000 litterateurs and scholars working in different languages, Solanki said just as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, talked about creating a New India, “I am sure that when the deliberations of this epic summit of scholars get documented, it will help lay the foundation of a new Haryana and add to its prestige in the country.”
Hailing Haryana as the land of gold, where the message of the Vedas, Upnishads and Gita resounded in ancient times, and which in modern times had contributing immensely to wrestling, boxing and other Olympic sports, besides being the highest contributor to the Indian armed forces, the Governor felt that the state had a lot to give to the rest of the country. Describing “Haryana Ek, Haryanvi Ek” as not merely a slogan, he said it was a “mantra” which he wished be emulated across the country as “Bharat Ek, Bharatiya Ek”.
Solanki said that on the occasion of the Swarna Jayanti of the state, various programmes were being organised throughout Haryana to highlight its glorious history. Participation of people belonging to all sections of the society has been ensured in the Swarna Jayanti programmes, he added.
While congratulating the litterateurs and writers for converging in Haryana Sahitya Sangam in such large numbers, the Governor said that the deliberations held during three days would help the state attain new heights.
He said that whenever he attended a programme, he used to play the role of a teacher, but amidst the outstanding litterateurs and writers, he found himself in the role of a student.
Responding to the appeal made earlier by former president, Haryana Sahitya Academy, Chander Trikha, that all the good work in the field of literature, arts and religion being done in the Governor’s home state Madhya Pradesh should be emulated in Haryana, Solanki said that once the report of proceedings of the literary festival reached the State Government, he was sure all these would be implemented.
The Governor also honoured 30 litterateurs and authors writing in Hindi, Sanskrit, Punjabi and Urdu, and aged 80 years and above, for their outstanding contribution in the promotion of languages. He also released various books of different academies of the state.
A colourful cultural programme organised on the occasion enthralled the audience.
Earlier, prominent litterateurs and writers, including Mohan Maitri, lal Chand Mangal, BD Kaliya, Sudarshan Ghaso, Adhiraj Rajinder Mishr and Kewal Krishan, shared their experiences in various sessions and seminars organised by different academies during the sangam. lauding the State Government for organising this historic event, they said that such programmes should be organised in future also to provide an opportunity to litterateurs and scholars to share their views and for the promotion of different languages.