The three-day Pragjyotishpur Literary Festival 2024 began on Friday at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, drawing hundreds of literature enthusiasts. The opening day of the festival, which runs until December 15, received an enthusiastic response from attendees.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. Malini Goswami, former Vice-Chancellor of Assam Women’s University and a prominent academic, as the chief guest. Swaminathan Gurumurthy, noted columnist, journalist, and economist, delivered the keynote address. The event began with a soulful rendition of Borgeet by classical music artist Vidyasagar and was presided over by Lt. General (Retd.) Rana Pratap Kalita, president of the organizing body, Sankaradeva Education and Research Foundation. Other notable dignitaries included writer Tarun Boro, chairperson of the organizing committee; Prof. Smriti Kumar Sinha, Vice-Chancellor of Pragjyotishpur University; and special guest speakers, lawyer-author J. Sai Deepak and JNU professor and author Anand Ranganathan.
With the theme “In Search of Roots,” the festival’s second edition opened with thought-provoking discussions on India’s rich heritage and knowledge traditions. In his welcome address, Lt. General Kalita reflected on the valor and strategic acumen of Mahabir Lachit from a military perspective, underscoring the need to pass such historical narratives to younger generations.
Chief guest Dr. Malini Goswami highlighted the evolution of Assamese literature from ancient times to the modern era, emphasizing its profound connection to India’s literary and cultural heritage.
In his keynote address titled “Development Through Culture,” Swaminathan Gurumurthy critiqued the misrepresentation of India in global narratives. He argued that despite gaining independence 75 years ago, India has yet to cultivate independent thought. Gurumurthy criticized the Western frameworks used to assess India’s progress and pointed out how education policies historically prioritized employment over fostering entrepreneurial innovation.
In his concluding remarks, Tarun Boro, chairperson of the organizing committee, stressed that literature plays an indispensable role alongside livelihoods, offering mental solace and inspiration.
The day also featured three engaging lecture sessions. Legal expert J. Sai Deepak delivered a profound talk on “The Constitution and Civilization.” Author Anand Ranganathan presented a visionary analysis on “From the Treadmill to the Travelator: India by 2047.” Historian and economist Sanjeev Sanyal spoke about “The Importance of Historical Reassessment,” encouraging a fresh look at historical narratives.
The festival will host a series of panel discussions and workshops over the next two days, concluding on December 15. Scheduled topics include “Heritage and Cultural Identity: The Role of Technology,” “The Role of the Brahmaputra River in Assam’s Diverse Society,” “Transforming Journalism: Credibility and Reliability,” and “Beyond Entertainment: The Role of Cinema in Shaping Societal Values.”
The Pragjyotishpur Literary Festival 2024 promises to offer a platform for celebrating the region’s literary, cultural, and intellectual richness while fostering meaningful dialogue on contemporary issues.
