Take India to Utkarsh of all-round development: President Murmu

Staff Reporter

President Droupadi Murmu has said that the tribal heritage of Madhya Pradesh is extremely rich. Maximum tribes reside here. Our collective efforts should be to become partners in the modern development of the tribal community while preserving our culture, folk tradition, customs and natural environment. The talents using innovations should take India to the pinnacle of overall development. Events like ‘Unmesh’ and ‘Utkarsh’ are logical as well as responsive in this direction. Such an event will create a strong cultural eco system. The active co-operation of the Madhya Pradesh Government in this is commendable. President Murmu said that after becoming the President, most of my visits have taken place in Madhya Pradesh. Today, I have come on a visit to Madhya Pradesh for the fifth time. I thank the 8 crore residents of Madhya Pradesh for warmly welcoming me here. President Murmu was speaking at the launch of Utkarsh and Unmesh festival at Ravindra Bhavan. Sangeet Natak Academy and Sahitya Academy, under the Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, are organising national festivals of India’s folk and tribal expressions Utkarsh and Unmesh for the first time from August 3 to 5 in Bhopal. President Murmu formally inaugurated the festival by lighting the lamp.

Murmu said that patriotism and universal brotherhood have always been in the thinking stream of our country. Since ancient times our tradition says ‘Yatra Vishwa Bhavati Ekneedam’. The whole world is one family. This time India is chairing the G-20 and its motto ‘One Earth, One Family and One Future’ is an expression of this spirit. The same feeling is reflected in the poem of the great poet Jaishankar Prasad: “Arun Yeh Madhumai Desh Hamara, Jahan Pahuch Anjan Kshitij Ko Milta Ek Sahara.” President Murmu said that the truth of literature is always above the truth of history. This is evident in the writings of poet Ravindranath Tagore and Maharishi Narada. Literature is the mirror of humanity, it protects it and also takes it forward. Literature and art protect sensitivity, compassion and humanity. This event dedicated to literature and art is meaningful and commendable. President Murmu said that the world is passing through serious challenges today. Literature and art have an important contribution in developing co-ordination and mutual understanding among different cultures. Literature empowers the global community. Everyone is familiar with the timeless superiority of literature. The immortal works of William Shakespeare are proof of this even today. She said that literature connects as well as unites together. Literature and art created by rising above me and mine are meaningful. President Murmu said that the languages and dialects of 140 crore countrymen are mine. Translation of works in different languages will further enrich Indian literature. The effort of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to include Santhali language in the 8th Schedule was highly commendable.

President Murmu said that the meaning of Unmesh is opening of eyes and blossoming of flowers. It is the light and awakening of wisdom. In the 19th Century, the currents of new awakening continued till the first half of the 20th century. During the freedom struggle, the ideals of independence and renaissance were well expressed by the litterateurs. The literature of that time is an immortal expression of the spirit of patriotism. The literature of that time gave divinity to the motherland. Every stone of India became Shaligram. The creations of great litterateurs like Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Subramaniam had a deep impact on the public mind. President Murmu said that Utkarsh is a celebration of progress of tribal society. President Murmu said that the day India’s tribal society will be advanced, that day India will be established as a developed nation in the world. India has more than 700 tribal communities and almost doubled are their languages. Today, when India’s Amrit Kaal is going on, it is our responsibility that the tribal languages and culture should remain alive and developed.

Governor Mangubhai Patel welcomed and felicitated the President Droupadi Murmu on her arrival in Bhopal and said that in India’s heartland Madhya Pradesh, different cultures are living together unitedly with 21 percent tribal population like beads of a garland made of the thread of unity in diversity. With the arrival of President Murmu, the dignity of the organisation of Utkarsh has received a boost, all the people of the state are feeling proud. Organising both the programmes in Bhopal, rich in cultural heritage, is definitely a matter of ultimate pleasure for lovers of literature and art. He expressed hope that this festival, with the participation of more than 550 composers from 15 countries in more than 75 programmes in different languages, would become a celebration of the harmony of all traditions of art and culture. Governor Patel said that poetry recitation on ‘Bharat at Seventy’ and sessions of songs from Madhya Pradesh are being organised during tribal poet-writers conference Unmesh. Unmesh and Utkarsh is an attempt to connect different traditions of India. This is a meaningful and commendable initiative to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of “Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat” successful. India is such a wonderful country in the world, from where all the different streams of knowledge-science and philosophy have flown in the world. Our ancient Rishi-Muni and Saint-tradition have dedicated their experience and knowledge of meditation in illuminating the path of welfare of humanity. That’s why their works are relevant even today beyond the boundaries of country and time. The power of artistry is amazing.

Governor Patel said that creation is borne only with the co-ordination of thought-spirit and self-power. It doesn’t require any means or resources. Its living example is the artistry of the tribal community, whose art, composition-skills, music and dance give a wonderful impression of indelible values, fundamental simplicity and deep feeling beyond the boundaries of time. India’s eclectic mix of linguistic, geographical diversities has created the best literature, which is characterised by unique and incomparable diversity. In the era of digital revolution, organising Utkarsh will be helpful in global discussion and preservation of cultural values among the creators of culture, art, literature and language. This event will be successful in establishing India’s unity and superiority in the world with the authenticity of India’s ancient proverb ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Governor Patel congratulated the Ministry of Culture, Sahitya Academy and Sangeet Natak Academy for successful unique event of international literature, folk and tribal expressions under the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence.

Chief Minister 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 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 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 Murmu’s commitment to cleanliness. Faith in the traditions of Prime Minister 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 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 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. State Culture and Tourism Minister Usha Thakur, President of Sangeet Natak Academy Sandhya Purecha, President of Sahitya Academy Madhav Kaushik, Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Culture.

Uma Nanduri were present. Short films focused on Sangeet Natak Academy, Sahitya Academy, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Har Ghar Healthy Mission were screened at the function. President Murmu presented certificates to Union Joint Secretary Culture Uma Nanduri and office bearer of My FM Radio for making world record under Har Ghar Healthy Mission. Dance performances from different states and regions: Glimpses of various dances were presented before the President Murmu. Artists presented dances from different states and regions in this spectacular, graceful and attractive presentation. More than 575 participants from 14 countries in more than 100 languages are participating in this grand event being held from August 3 to 6. A cultural exhibition of more than 1000 artists depicting the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ is also organised. There will be a book exhibition by Sahitya Academy, cultural presentations by tribal communities and group discussions on devotion, cinema and tribal literature during the festival.