“Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav-2024” launched by Governor, former President, & Chief Minister
By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 25 Oct: The three-day international literary, cultural, and art festival, “Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav-2024”, organised under the aegis of the Sparsh Himalaya Foundation, commenced here, today, in Thano. The event was attended by Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd), former President Ram Nath Kovind, and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. They inaugurated the country’s first Himalayan ‘Lekhak Gram’ (Writers’ Village).
This Writers’ Village in Thano features writers’ cottages, a medicinal garden, celestial and planetary gardens, a library, an art gallery, a yoga-meditation centre, a discussion centre, and a captivating museum of the Ganga and the Himalayas. It offers writers an opportunity to engage with nature, culture, and knowledge in a serene environment, fostering new perspectives on various subjects.
The festival includes participation from notable personalities such as Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification; Swami Avadheshanand Giri; and the festival’s coordinator, former Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”, along with literary and cultural figures from over 40 countries. The guests also launched the book, “Ram in the Himalayas”, authored by Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
Governor Singh stated that the establishment of the Himalayan Writers’ Village is a significant step in preserving the culture and literature of India while providing a platform for Uttarakhand’s creative youth and writers. He expressed optimism about the innovations in literature, art, and culture that this initiative would bring to Uttarakhand’s heritage.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind praised Dr Nishank’s vision and noted that this initiative addresses practical challenges faced by writers, poets, and other creative individuals. He emphasised that this is a unique concept and a matter of pride for Uttarakhand, which will likely become a tourist destination in the future.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remarked that Uttarakhand has long been a hub of creativity, inspiring writers, poets, and thinkers. He congratulated Dr Nishank for this great initiative, emphasising the need for a peaceful and beautiful environment conducive to writing. This three-day literary festival will provide a platform for local authors to exchange ideas with their counterparts from around the world.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s commitment to promoting and preserving literature and culture, mentioning various initiatives such as the “Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman” to honour outstanding writers and the financial aid scheme for publishing works in different languages.
Prasoon Joshi pointed out the impact of AI on various fields and stressed that, while AI might replicate certain creative aspects, it cannot replace deep thinking and self-discovery, which require solitude and a creative environment like the Writers’ Village.
Swami Avadheshanand Giri noted that this event provides a unique opportunity for writers and thinkers to create their works and encouraged attendees to embrace books as an integral part of life.
Festival coordinator Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank welcomed all and shared insights about the Writers’ Village and the festival, highlighting the exchange of ideas among participants from across India and over 70 other countries.