PANAJI
A state-level Hindi poets’ meet was organised by the national literary organisation ‘Shabdakshar Goa’ on June 23 at the Government Town Library hall in Cuncolim, in honour of the revolutionary poet-saint Kabir Das.
Poets from across Goa attended the event. Chaired by Abhay Surana, the programme was supervised by Uday Shankar Naik, the regional finance minister at ‘Shabdakshar Goa’. Notable attendees included Cuncolim Municipal Council chairperson Landry Mascarenhas, municipal councillor John Dias, and librarian Mahesh Gaonkar.
The event began with Varsha Prabhugaunkar, regional president of ‘Shabdakshar Goa’, reciting Sant Kabir’s dohas. She highlighted the timeless wisdom in Kabir’s words, especially his famous lines, ‘kal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab, pal mei paralay hoyegi, bahuri karoge kab’, meaning, do what you intend to do today right now, as things can change in a moment, leaving you no time to do what you had planned for the future.
In her speech, Prabhugaunkar said, “What Kabir preached hundreds of years ago is still relevant today. His high thinking has always shown us the right path, and he will remain an icon of progressive thoughts even in the future.”
Prabhugaunkar also recited her own poetry. The event started with Saraswati pujan and the lighting of the lamp by the guests, followed by a felicitation ceremony with shawls, coconuts, and mementoes. The programme was compered by Dattaprasad Jog, regional vice-president of ‘Shabdakshar Goa’.
Uday Naik Desai, the regional finance minister of ‘Shabdakshar Goa’, was honoured with a special citation sent by ‘Shabdakshar’s national president Ravi Pratap Singh from their Kolkata headquarters. Librarian Mahesh Gaonkar and his team were also honoured with certificates. The poetry recital programme was attended by people from all walks of life, who shared their thought-provoking poems.
Poets who presented their work included Rajani Raikar, Santosh Timble, Gwadalup Dias, Rupesh Desai, Omkar Terdalkar, Savita Samant, Deepa Gosavi, Vidya Shikerkar, Prasad Sawant, Leena Kuncolienkar, Dr Shyama Singbal, Mahesh Baheti, Purnima Desai, Dr Jennet Borges, Dattaprasad Jog, Varsha, Sushmita Naik Gaonkar, and Trupti Bandekar.
Abhay Surana presented ghazals and humorous poems. “If a platform like ‘Shabdakshar’, an organisation with an all-India presence, is available, poets like Varsha Prabhugaunkar will elevate Hindi even in non-Hindi speaking states,” said Surana while addressing the gathering.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prabhugaunkar.
