The three-day Ghazipur Literature Festival, inaugurated at The Clarks Hotel in Varanasi, brought together eminent writers, cultural figures, and scholars from India and abroad.
Bharat Express CMD and Editor-in-Chief Upendrra Rai’s keynote address stood out as he reflected on India’s timeless literary tradition, the depth of Sanatan wisdom, and the urgent need to reawaken intellectual and spiritual consciousness in the modern age.
In his opening remarks, Upendrra Rai expressed gratitude to the teams of Bharat Express and Bharat Dialogue, sharing his deep connection with the Hindi language, which he described as the most natural medium for his thoughts.
He also highlighted literature as an embodiment of truth, beauty, and human welfare—an expression central to India’s civilisation.
Calling literature an age-old Indian tradition, CMD Rai illustrated its enduring power through examples ranging from Chand Bardai, the royal poet of Prithviraj Chauhan, to the devotional poets Meera, Kabir, and Tulsidas. ‘This literary legacy’, he said, ‘is the soul of India’s cultural identity.’
Moreover, CMD Rai shared an enlightening anecdote from the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to illustrate the values of humility and wisdom.
He recounted how the Guru, upon receiving a full glass of milk as a symbol of a community’s refusal to accept outsiders, simply added a leaf and returned it—signifying that there is always room for discernment and openness.
The Sufi masters recognised this profound message, bowing to Guru Nanak’s insight. Through this story, CMD Upendrra Rai further reminded the audience that knowledge and humility together make one a true teacher.
Rethinking Modern Education
Expressing concern over today’s education system, CMD Rai noted that for a century, learning has focused merely on information and employability, neglecting inner growth.
True education, he asserted, is what clears the mind of clutter and prepares it to receive knowledge through the grace of a teacher.
He also urged that every individual must retain some ’empty space’ within to allow wisdom to enter.
Acknowledging Ghazipur’s contribution to Indian letters, CMD Rai praised the district for producing literary giants like Dr Kubernath Rai, Viveki Rai, Dr PN Singh, and Dr Bholanath Ghamari—personalities he had the privilege of meeting.
Their works, he said, reflect the intellectual depth and spiritual strength that define India’s literary landscape.
Sanatan Wisdom and Scientific Vision
CMD Rai underscored that Sanatan Dharma, unlike other traditions limited to the concepts of heaven and hell, speaks of moksha—liberation of the soul.
He illustrated this through the example of the Somnath Temple, whose magnetic architecture astonished even Mahmud of Ghazni, as evidence that the fusion of science and spirituality has long existed within India’s ancient traditions.
Concluding his address, CMD Upendrra Rai further urged everyone to return to their roots. “Where everything becomes too rigid,” he said, “the growth of the soul halts.”
Life must embrace uncertainty, risk, and challenge, for individuality lies at the heart of creation. “The world appears as the mind perceives it,” he concluded, inspiring listeners to seek balance between knowledge, culture, and spiritual evolution.
CMD Upendrra Rai’s address at the Ghazipur Literature Festival not only celebrated India’s literary depth but also underscored the timeless need for self-discovery and cultural revival in an increasingly mechanised world.
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