Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday inaugurated the first ever National Kavi Sammelan (Poet’s conference) organised by Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari Academy, under the Art, Culture and Languages department of Government.

Sisodia praised the poets and artists of Uttarakhand and said that they are the flag-bearers of the rich culture and language of ‘Dev Bhoomi’.

He said, “This Kavi Sammelan is an expression of unheard voices from the ‘Dev Bhoomi’ Uttarakhand. Even though the state of Uttarakhand came into being, many dreams of the new state are still unfulfilled.””The Kavi Sammelan by the Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari Academy in these difficult times is an iconic event. It is a symbol of thriving democracy of our country.”

He said that it was the task of Uttarakhand government to recognise the artists from ‘Dev Bhoomi’. Unfortunately, the Uttarakhand government couldn’t create any academy of the language of ‘Dev Bhoomi’. Delhi government recognises the efforts of artists from Uttarakhand and hence it has established the Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari Academy.”

He  said, “Delhi government is utilising the electricity produced in the state of Uttarakhand to provide 24 hours electricity in Delhi. It’s unfortunate that people from Uttarakhand are not getting the electricity which they deserve.” He emphasised, “Collective voices of the poets from Uttarakhand were instrumental in the formation of the state. Hence, it’s important to highlight the voices from Uttarakhand through this Sammelan in order to bring forth the development issues in the state. It’s important to express the voices of women dying due to poor health facilities in your poems. The poets from ‘Dev Bhoomi’ should express the voices of women, youth and farmers from ‘Dev Bhoomi’.”

Deputy Chief Minister said that by encouraging all regional languages from various states in the country, Delhi Government has sent out a message of unity in diversity. This is a major contribution of Delhi towards strengthening the Republic of India. He said that we are hopeful that the next Kavi Sammelan will be organised at the iconic Red Fort and the poets of ‘Dev Bhoomi’ will express the voices from Uttarakhand in front of entire nation.

On the account of Republic Day, this event was organized at Hindi Bhavan under the chairpersonship of M.S. Rawat – Deputy Chairperson of the Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari Academy. Dr Jeetram Bhat, Secretary of the Academy moderated the event and thanked Delhi government for starting the Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari Academy.

The Sammelan witnessed the works of Kumaoni poets – Pooran Chandra Kandpal, Ramesh Hitaishi and Dr. Damayanti Sharma. For Garhwali, Madan Duklan, Prithvi Singh Kedarkhandi and Dinesh Dhyani recited their poems. Jaunsari language was represented by the poems of Khazandutt Sharma. On this occasion, Delhi MLA Dinesh Mohaniya, MCD Councillor Gita Rawat were also present along with the other dignitaries.