PANAJI
On the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day and as a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava celebrations, Raj Bhavan feels honoured for inviting writers and felicitating them for their literary contribution, stated Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai while addressing the felicitation ceremony at Raj Bhavan on Saturday.
The writers, Shraddha Garad, Damodar Mauzo, Dr Anuja Joshi and Prof Dnyneshwar Patil were presented with a gold coin each as a token of appreciation at the hands of the Governor.
Pillai, who himself is a prolific writer, stated that he respects literature as it is through the literary works that the unity and diversity of India are showcased.
Pointing out that there are three types of freedoms – political, cultural and social, Pillai deliberated that all are necessary for a nation to flourish as a democracy.
“Democracy gives us the right to differ and with all its differences and commonalities, India is marching towards becoming a Vishwa Guru. The world has seen our performance during many challenging situations, one of which is the recent rescue of Indian students in Ukraine. India managed to convince the fighting nations to give three hours to rescue almost 20,000 Indians from Ukraine,” stated Governor Pillai.
Shraddha Garad, who published her first Konkani book of poetry recently, lauded the Governor for inviting the writers to Raj Bhavan and honouring them.
Mentioning the ongoing Read India Celebration, Garad appealed to the audience to read good books and bring the light of knowledge into their lives. “Writing is a lifeline for me, it gave me strength to cope with my illness and keep me alive. Books, reading and writing is the ultimate motive of my life that pushes me forward,” stated Garad who is battling an illness for the past seven-plus years.
The Raj Bhavan shouldered the responsibility of her treatment and thanking the Governor for his gesture, the author called him an angel.
Veteran Goan writer Damodar Mauzo, who recently won the prestigious Jnanpith award, pointed out that it is after "we achieve success as a writer that such awards and rewards come our way."
“Our awards should inspire new writers to work with zeal. It is an honour to have the Governor as the first person to visit and wish me after I received Jnanpith. I consider this as an honour of the literature and not of the writer in me,” said the writer.
Mauzo further stated that on the occasion of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’ the felicitation by the Governor has brought a drop of Amrit in their lives too.
The third author who was felicitated, Dr Anuja Joshi, lauded the contribution of literature to the freedom struggle. “We have to remember the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and this is possible if we read about them. Ignite the flame of nationalism by reading good books and autobiographies of great leaders. Do something great for the nation,” appealed Dr Joshi.
Calling it an honour of the Sanskrit language, its literature and the knowledge it possesses, Prof Dnyneshwar Patil thanked the Governor for his kind gesture. “On the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day, we need to remember those who contributed their bit through thoughts and ideas, through literature. The Governor is a writer himself, a visionary possessing a rich thought process. This combination makes him an excellent administrator,” said Patil.
