Bhubaneswar: Poetry has the power to change, transform and bring in a better social order, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating the 39th World Congress of Poets (WCP) organised on KIIT premises here, Wednesday.
“We are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the epitome of peace and non-violence. As the world congress of poets is all about promotion of poetry as a natural and vital network connecting poets to the world’s need for cooperation and peace, for us here creativity coupled with peace and non-violence is taking new strides. Odisha is a land of cultural pluralism having a rich and enviable tradition of poetry,” said Naveen.
“The immortal lines of our 19th century poet Bhima Bhoi – ‘Mo jeebana pachhe narke padithau, jagata uddhar heu,’ which means ‘Let my soul be subjected to sufferings in the hell, but the world be resurrected’ – is now illuminating and igniting million minds in UN Headquarters,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, director general of Indian Council for Cultural Relations Akhilesh Mishra said, “Poetry is the way to develop mutual understanding. Indian literature and poetry is very ancient. We can develop universal brotherhood and peace through poetry. Our Rigveda is the ancient poetry of the world.”
The first vice president of World Academy of Arts and Culture, Ernesto Kahan, said, “WCP is increasing by the day in terms of quality and quantity. Its main motto is world brotherhood and peace through poetry. We can bring change in the world through poetry.
Stating that India is the land of poetry, president of WCP Maurus Young said. “I have seen many WCP, but this World Congress is unique and marvellous. I thank Achyuta Samanta for organising this 39th World Congress of Poets. Samanta, the founder of KIIT & KISS and president, 39th WCP delivered the welcome address while María Eugenia Soberanis, General Secretary, World Academy of Art and Culture proposed the vote of thanks.
On this occasion, Honorary D.Litt was conferred on eminent writer and poet Padma Bhushan Ruskin Bond and eminent artist Ganesh Haloi. Gandhi Prize for literature was also awarded to eminent Gandhian and anthropologist Acharya Bhabananda.
Poets from 82 countries unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and paid to tributes to the Father of the Nation early in the morning. They also inaugurated the public library Karamchand (Gandhi Library) and celebrated Gandhi Jayanti with the 27,500 students of KISS.