Efforts must be made to preserve Haldhar Nag's writings, says Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Addressing a two-day national seminar titled 'Haldhar - Sajan Aar Darshan,' he said the poet's contribution to enriching Sambalpuri language and literature is unparalleled and continues to inspire generations.
Organised jointly by Abhimanyu Sahitya Sansad, Ghens, and Krishna Vikash Group of Institutions, Bargarh, the seminar marked a significant effort to take Sambalpuri literature to a pan-Indian platform.
The multilingual event saw attendance by literary scholars from both within and outside Odisha. It brought together scholars, researchers, and literary enthusiasts from across the country to delve into the cultural and philosophical legacy of the iconic poet, often hailed as the pride and poetic spirit of Odisha.
Describing Nag's work as rich in philosophy and deeply rooted in cultural wisdom, Pradhan stressed the need for broader efforts to preserve and promote his writings at all levels.
'Literature is a tool that activates the consciousness of an individual. It constantly stirs intellectual waves and builds new emotions. While not everyone becomes a writer, literature resides in everyone. Its need is universal,' said Pradhan while addressing the gathering.
He further emphasised the importance of imparting education in mother tongues to nurture original thinking and creativity among students.
On the occasion, several books, anthologies, and collections based on Haldhar Nag's life and literary works were unveiled. Higher Education and Culture minister Suraj Suryabanshi, local MPs, MLAs, and public representatives were also present at the inaugural session.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
HC quashes Centre's order denying passport to stateless woman
1 2 Madurai: Quashing an order passed by the Centre denying an Indian passport to a stateless person born to Sri Lankan Tamil refugee parents in India, Madras high court has directed the authorities to reconsider the application seeking a passport. The court was hearing the petition filed by Harinaa, who was born in Karur district in 2002. Her parents, who are Sri Lankan nationals, were residing in a Sri Lankan rehabilitation camp in Karur district. The petitioner completed her education in India, and wanted to travel abroad. The petitioner stated that in 2023, the court directed the Centre to consider her application. Pursuant to the order, she applied for a fresh travel document. However, her request was not acceded to. Challenging it, she filed the petition seeking a direction to the Centre to issue a passport considering her application in terms of Section 20 of The Passports Act, 1967. The Centre submitted that the petitioner is neither a citizen of India nor entitled to a travel document under Section 20 of The Passports Act, 1967. The matter was referred to the local police for verification, and the report was filed by the Karur district superintendent of police, stating that the petitioner is not an Indian citizen and was born in Sri Lanka. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The ministry decided that the issuance of a certificate of identity to the petitioner may not be in the interest of the nation, and advised the petitioner to approach the Sri Lankan deputy high commission in Chennai to obtain a one-way passport. Harinaa's counsel submitted that since the petitioner was born in India and has not registered as a Sri Lankan citizen or as a national of Sri Lanka, there is no question of obtaining a one-way passport. Justice C Saravanan observed that there are overwhelming records available to indicate that the petitioner was born in India. She was also issued a birth certificate in 2022 by the executive officer, Thanthoni town panchayat in Karur district. She has also been issued an Aadhaar card. The judge observed that the order passed by the authorities was based on internal discussions within the department and has not taken into consideration all these aspects. Hence, the judge quashed the order passed by the Union ministry of external affairs and remitted the matter back to the ministry to reconsider the same, after obtaining a fresh report from the police. In case the petitioner's application is rejected again, all materials and information relied upon by the authorities to reject the application shall be furnished to the petitioner, so as to enable her to make out her case. The entire exercise shall be completed in three months, the judge directed and disposed of the petition.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Naidu to launch 'Annadata Sukhibhava' on Aug 2; Over 46 lakh farmers to benefit
Vijayawada: The state government is making all arrangements to launch 'Annadata Sukhibhava', a scheme aimed at providing cash incentives to farmers, on August 2, alongside the PM-Kisan scheme. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the scheme at Veerayapalem village under Darsi mandal of Prakasam district. As many as 46.85 lakh farmers will benefit from the scheme. While the state government is providing Rs 5,000 to each farmer in the first tranche, the Union government will disburse ₹2,000. In total, Annadata Sukhibhava aims to transfer Rs 20,000 to farmers in three instalments, inclusive of PM-Kisan benefits. During a review meeting held on Thursday with senior officials from the finance, revenue, water resources, and agriculture departments, the chief minister directed officials to ensure that every eligible farmer receives the financial support directly into their bank accounts. "For the NDA government, supporting farmers is not a burden but a responsibility," Naidu stated. Highlighting the fulfillment of another election promise, Naidu said the scheme's launch should be celebrated like a festival, with events at village secretariats, panchayats, mandal centres, and constituency centres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo He criticised the previous government for dismantling administrative systems and causing financial instability. "We are rebuilding every system and working towards financial stability. The good work done should be effectively communicated to the public," he added, suggesting the use of the 'Mana Mitra' app for outreach. The state government has synchronised its disbursement with the Union government's payment to ensure that farmers can immediately use the funds for agricultural purposes. The state will provide Rs 5,000 each in the first and second instalments, and Rs 4,000 in the third, while the Union government will give Rs 2,000 in each phase. In the first phase alone, the Union government is spending Rs 831 crore, while the state is disbursing Rs 2,343 crore. Meanwhile, officials informed the chief minister that 59,750 grievances related to the scheme had been registered, of which 58,464 have already been resolved. A toll-free helpline (155251) has been set up to address any doubts or issues related to the scheme. Chief ecretary K Vijayanand, special chief secretary of agriculture B. Rajasekhar, CCLA special chief secretary Jayalakshmi, CM's psrincipal cecretary Muddada Ravichandra, finance principal secretary Piyush Kumar, CM's secretary Rajamouli, director of Agriculture department Dilli Rao, and district collectors participated in the review meeting.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
J&K government should be given all its responsibilities, including that of security: CM Omar Abdullah
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reiterated the issue of statehood for the Union Territory, saying that the J&K government should be given all its responsibilities, including that of security. Abdullah was interacting with media in Ahmedabad during his two-day visit to Gujarat to promote tourism in J&K, which got hit following the Pahalgam terror strike of April 22. In reply to a question, Abdullah said, 'This status of Union Territory should not have been given to us. In this country, we are those unfortunate people whose statehood was removed and were given UT (status). Others' status of UT was removed and they were given statehood. We are emphasising that the promise of reinstating statehood of J&K should be fulfilled.' Pointing out that the responsibility of security in J&K is with the Lieutenant Governor and the Union Home Minister, Abdullah said, 'All the responsibilities should be ours (state government). I have been saying from day one that give us the responsibility of security… And we are not 'nalayak log (unsuitable people)'… You look at the graph of six years when I performed (as CM). Every year, militancy decreased, casualties of security personnel decreased. We made things better. Give us an opportunity again, we will do better once again.' Assuring tourists of security in J&K, Abdullah acknowledged that the Pahalgam terror attack did hit the tourism industry in the region. At the same time, he asserted that 'it's not that the state's tourism industry is totally stalled.' In one of the worst terror attacks in J&K in recent times, 26 tourists were killed in Pahalgam on April 22. Three of the deceased are from Surat and Bhavnagar in Gujarat. 'Pahalgam (attack) did have its impact. Nobody can deny that because the Pahalgam attack happened in the beginning of the peak season and (the state) got empty overnight… Before Pahalgam, Srinagar had daily arrivals of 50-55 flights. After Pahalgam, it came down to 15 or 16. Now, it has reached a level of 30-35 flight arrivals. We are hoping that after Amarnathji Yatra, it will further pick up,' the J&K CM said. Emphatically stating that one should not make the mistake of believing that tourism has been totally stalled after the Pahalgam attack, Abdullah said, 'You come and see. Amarnathji Yatra is on and around 3.75 lakh people have visited it. Tourists are coming, we want that its proportion also increases… Kashmir is not empty today. Don't think that we have come here in disappointment and that our businesses have been stalled. It is going on well. We want it to increase further and more people to come… But you don't remain under the misunderstanding that nobody has trust on J&K. Lakhs of people come seeking blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi. They have trust…Tourists are there in our hotels even today. We want more people to come with trust.' On the recent killing of terrorists in an encounter with security forces, Abdullah said they were killed high up in the mountains, far from tourist spots, and their presence there is not a reflection on the safety and security of visitors in tourist spots of J&K. He said, '…it is also important to note that none of these terrorists were killed anywhere near habitable areas. It is not that they were killed in the heart of Srinagar or near Pahalgam, Sonmarg or Gulmarg or near anywhere the tourists would go. They were killed high up in the mountains, hiding in the jungle somewhere. So, their presence in that mountain is not a reflection on safety and security in our tourist areas.' Earlier in the day, Abdullah inaugurated a Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar. He was accompanied by Tourism Minister of Gujarat Mulubhai Bera. Abdullah also went to Narmada district in Central Gujarat and visited the Statue of Unity while paying floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 'We all know him (Sardar Patel) as the Iron Man of India and it (the statue) is a tribute to him in the true sense. It is the identity of new India,' Abdullah said, while interacting with media persons at the Narmada Dam, where he was taken for a special visit by the authorities of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited. 'Misfortune that we cannot conceive a project like Sardar Sarovar in Kashmir' Speaking of the 'misfortune' of J&K for not having a project like Sardar Sarovar, Abdullah said, 'You can imagine that due to this dam, you could take water to Kutch and to those areas, which had never seen anything except drought. In places where lands were arid, they are now farming… It changes the lives of people.' Abudullah said, 'It is our misfortune that we cannot conceive such projects in Kashmir because we do not have the permission to stop the flow of water. Now that the Indus Water Treaty has been suspended, it may be a part of J&K's fate to have such a project in the future so that we do not have any shortfall of electricity or drinking water.'
