By ADITYA RAJ DAS/ NEW DELH
A national congregation of leading poets chaired by the Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi paid rich tributes to the late Babu Jagjivan Ram on his 109th birth anniversary focusing on issues of social justice, equity, universal brotherhood and communal harmony, which were dear to the heart of the departed leader.
Inaugurating the conclave of poets the Congress Chief Gandhi profoundly praised the contribution of Babuji in creating a respectable position for the socially suppressed sections of the society in the political structure of the country.
“Babuji was not only the leader of the dalits but also commanded respect of one and all for his crusade against social injustice and inequality,” she said while inaugurating the Rashtriya Kavi Sammelan” jointly organized by the Manavata Abhijan—a socio cultural organization—and the All India Tax Advocates Forum (AITAF).
Expressing concern over the current uneasy environment, which is witnessing growing intolerance and rapid decline in communal harmony, the Congress President said all out efforts must be made to promote universal brotherhood and communal harmony.
The three-hour long conclave of poets, which was presided over by the former Lok Sabha Speaker Mrs Meira Kumar, kept the audience mesmerized as noted poets enthralled the poetry lovers with their beautiful compositions highlighting the ideals of the Babuji. It is for the first time that the Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who was present al throughout the function, attended any such conclave of poets.
Earlier, presiding over the event the former Lok Sabha Speaker Mrs Meira Kumar—daughter of Babuji—made a clarion call for sustained efforts to bring about a renaissance in the overall thinking process of the society to strive for equality and respect for one and all, universal brotherhood and communal harmony.
The audience had a pleasant surprise as she rendered her own composition, which she wrote down on the spot, touching on issues of social justice and universal brotherhood.
In her composition Mrs Kumar cited episode of Eklavya from Mahabharat narrating how Eklavya despite his talent was discriminated by the then ruling elite because of his low status in the society.
Speaking on the occasion the President of the Manavata Abhiyan and the AITAF M K Gandhi referred to the present disturbing situation in the country, which is witnessing raging controversy over freedom of expression and suppression of free thinking and critical observation.
He said “the ongoing silence over sacrifice of free thought and critical observation speaks a lot. Time is fast approaching that this silence will lead to revolution, which will bring about positive transformation in the society”.
Leading poets including Ashok Chakradhar, Sunil Jogi, Urdu lyricist Rahat Indori, Madan Mohan Samar, Suman Dubey, Suresh Nirab and poetess Prabha Thakur enthralled the audience rendering on the spot compositions dwelling on thoughts and philosophy of the departed leader Babuji.
Leading poet Chakradhar in his on the spot composition focusing on the irrepressible power of truth said even if one injures one of the seven horses drawing the chariot of the Sun god another young horse would emerge to pull the chariot of truth, justice and fairness