Haryana
Manohar Lal today released two new poetic collections titled ‘Megh Mekhla’ and ‘Reshmi Rassiyan’
- Chandigarh, January 23: Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal today released two new poetic collections titled ‘Megh Mekhla’ and ‘Reshmi Rassiyan’ authored by senior IAS officer and renowned poetess Mrs Dheera Khandelwal at a programme organized by Haryana Sahitya Akademi here today.
- Congratulating Dheera Khandelwal on this occasion, Manohar Lal said that almost all the lines of her collection are kindred and touching and these pearls, which come out of the deep depths of her mind, excite the readers to the inside.
- While paying rich tributes to great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary, Mr Manohar Lal said that the release of poetic collections of Dheera Khandelwal on this day assumes a special significance as from this year, it has been decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as ‘Parakram Divas’.
- Throwing light on the new poetic collections of Dheera Khandelwal, the Chief Minister said that the art of incorporating as many expressions as possible in a few words could be learned from Mrs. Dheera Khandelwal. He said that all her poems written in touching language style are interesting and inspiring. It is truly an admirable task to pen down the imagination in limited words, he added.
- He said that Khandelwal is not only a competent and skilled officer but also a sensitive writer. She specializes not only in choosing topics from the vast store of life but also taking these topics to the final stage with great success through simple words and interesting statements. Prior to this, her four collections of poems titled ‘Mukhar Maun’, ‘Sanjh Sakare’, ‘Khyalon Ke Khalihan’ ‘Antar Aakash’ and two Haiku collections titled ‘Taaron Ki Taraf’ and ‘Man-mukur’ have also been published.
- He said that it was amazing to know about so many compositions of Mrs. Dheera Khandelwal. The Chief Minister said that he is familiar with the preoccupations of administrative life. Being a woman, they also have to bear the huge responsibility of handling their home. Despite so many works, Khandelwal spared time to create literature and this is a matter of inspiration for all of us, he added.
- The Chief Minister said that litterateur is extremely sensitive to the pain and suffering of common people. However, when an officer is also a poet or litterateur, he or she can get to know the grief and pain of the general public more thoroughly and also try to overcome it. He said that we have full respect for the writers and are determined to encourage the creation of litterateurs in the State, he added. Describing literature as a mirror of society, he said that litterateurs play a role as a vigilante watchdog to reflect the state of society through their works. “I am happy that even today; writers continue to make society and administration aware of the burning problems prevailing in society, ” he asserted.
- He said that high-quality literature, whether it is composed in any language, is an invaluable heritage of the Nation. No one else can show the way the pen of the writer can show the society as it has the power to change the thinking of people. Today, on one hand the scientific development in the world has made human life more convenient while on the other hand it has increased the danger of destruction of human civilization. Under these circumstances, literature is capable of giving the right direction to human civilization.
- The Chief Minister said that literature and folk culture of Haryana is very rich. The State Government is taking all necessary steps for the preservation and development of art, literature and culture. He said that various awards have been instituted in the name of eminent literatures to inspire the young generation of their life and creation.
- While referring to various steps taken by the State Government for the promotion of literature in the State, Mr Manohar Lal said that separate Akademis have been set up for the promotion of Hindi, Haryanvi, Urdu, Sanskrit and Punjabi literature in the state. Besides, the budget of these Akademis has also been increased manifold. He said that cash prizes are also given by these Akademis every year to the litterateurs in recognition of their outstanding contribution towards the promotion of Hindi, Haryanvi, Punjabi, Urdu and Sanskrit literature in the State.
- Earlier speaking on this occasion, Chief Secretary, Mr Vijai Vardhan said that the poems of Mrs Dheera Khandelwal always display a ray of hope and there is always a sense of optimism in her writing. She always tries to express as many expressions as possible in a few words.
- Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, D.S Dhesi said that Dheera Khandelwal has a huge administrative experience and her literary skills have been considerably improved with the passage of time. Through her writing, she presents the philosophy of life in a simple and precise manner. Khandelwal has also been honoured with several prestigious awards in recognition of their outstanding contribution to literature, he added.
- Former Dean and Chairman, Department of Hindi, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra Prof. Lalchand Gupt ‘Mangal’ said that through her new creations, Dheera Khandelwal has come out to discover the golden moments of life by balancing all the consistencies and inconsistencies of life and trying to weave some dreams for herself and others.
- Vice-President, Kendriya Sahitya Akademi, Delhi Mr Madhav Kaushik said that Mrs Dheera Khandelwal has established her identity as a sensitive writer besides being a senior Administrative Officer. He said that the collection of more than a dozen poems is a testimony of her dedication and commitment towards her talent and literary values.
- Professor, Department of Hindi, Punjab University, Chandigarh Dr. Gurmeet Singh was all praise for Mrs Dheera Khandelwal saying that she is a poetess full of confidence and has a strong ardor and enthusiasm toward experiment in her writing.
- While presenting vote of thanks, Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Mrs Dheera Khandelwal thanked Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal for sparing his valuable time to release her new poetic collections. She also thanked the Chief Minister for his commitment toward the promotion of literature in the State and also to encourage the young generation towards writing. She said that Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal always encouraged the Akademis in the State to prepare new schemes for the promotion of literature and welfare of litterateurs. Apart from this, the Budget of Akademis has also been increased significantly.
- Khandelwal said that she is fortunate that she has got the atmosphere of writing literature since childhood. She said that while her new collection ‘Megh Mekhla’ symbolizes strength, ‘Reshmi Rassiyan’ symbolizes pleasant bonding.
- Among those present on this occasion included Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Mr P.K Das, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (B&R) Department, Alok Nigam, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Local Bodies, Mr S.N. Roy, Secretary to Governor, Haryana, Mrs G. Anupama, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr V. Umashankar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Amit Kumar Agrawal, Chairman, HRERA Gurugram, Dr. K.K Khandelwal, Director, Haryana Sahitya Akademi and Haryana Urdu Akademi Dr Chandra Trikha, Director and Vice-Chairmen of all Akademis in the State, other senior officers of the State Government and large number of writers and litterateurs.
