Moments from Shabd Utsav at New Delhi World Book Fair: Session on 'Indian Perspective and Politics'

Among the star attractions at the New Delhi World Book Fair this year was Shabd Utsav. Under this special initiative a series of discussions were held with writers and intellectuals on contemporary issues. The guest list for Shabd Utsav included an eclectic mix of thinkers like, former MP Tarun Vijay, former governor OP Gupta, former minister Dr Sanjay Mahavir Ram Paswan and Professor Rajkumar Falwariya, among others.

I had the privilege to moderate one of the sessions at this discussion forum. The subject of our session was 'Indian Perspective and Politics'. The speakers at this session were senior journalist and political analyst of India Today Uday Mahurkar, Indology Chair BHU Professor Rakesh Upadhyay and DU professor Dr Sangit Ragi. The speakers made some pertinent observations about a wide spectrum of related issues. Shri Uday Mahurkar talked about complete cultural revival and unconditional patriotism. He also spoke at length about the roadblocks in Indian politics. Dr Ragi talked about the need for Indianess in Indian politics and moving from western institutional format centered on individual to Indian institutional formal centred on duties. Shri Rakesh Upadhyay took the discussion through the origins and meaning of 'Bharat'. He said that comparison of a prosperous India to a 'golden bird' is not a figment of someone's imagination but a historic truth. 
Here are some snapshots of the event.

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