The Ghazipur Literature Festival (GLF) 2025, organised in collaboration with Bharat Express, concluded today, offering a fresh perspective to the cultural and literary consciousness of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
CMD Upendra Rai, the festival’s chief patron, anchored the final day with his address on the theme ‘Returning to Roots.’
Upendra Rai, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Express News Network, inaugurated the festival on November 7th.
He lit the lamp along with Pooja Priyamvada, Co-Founder of Bharat Dialogues and Director of Ghazipur Literature Festival.
Festival Director Vivek Satyamitram also participated in the lamp-lighting ceremony.
On the third day of the Ghazipur Literature Festival, they shared their thoughts on Ghazipur’s contribution to the freedom struggle and military valour.
Dr Anand Pradhan, Samir Chatterjee, Manoj Rai, and Abhinav Arun were also present on stage with them.
Renowned Ghazipur-born actor Anjan Srivastava (who gained recognition through the serial Wagle Ki Duniya) and Anshu Gupta, founder of the NGO Goonj, were also present. Both participated in the GLF after visiting Ghazipur.
A conversation was held with Ghazipur Literature Festival co-founders Priya Priyamvada and Vivek Satyamitram on various aspects of Ghazipur and its surroundings.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the Ghazipur Literature Festival on the second day.
BJP National Spokesperson Prem Shukla attended the event.
South African High Commissioner Anil Sukhlal, Guyana High Commissioner Keshav Tiwari, Polish scholar Kamila Junik, and Dutch diplomat Raman Bhagwandeen also participated.
Numerous other diplomats, writers, and journalists joined the gathering.
Several prominent figures from the Indian literary and cultural world participated in the festival.
Senior literary figure Anjan Srivastava attended the inaugural ceremony. Renowned writer Neerja Madhav and author Mrityunjay Singh also participated.
Poet Vyomesh Shukla and Bhojpuri literature icon Manoj Bhavuk were present at the event.
C-Voter founder Yashwant Deshmukh, Banaras Hindu University Vice Chancellor Dr Ajit Chaturvedi, and Padma Shri awardee music scholar Dr Rajeshwar Acharya were also present.
During the session on ‘Ghazipur’s Role in the Freedom Struggle and Military Bravery,’ CMD Upendra Rai spoke on true freedom.
He linked freedom to spiritual awakening rooted in Indian consciousness.
He said clearly, “True freedom is that which allows the soul to blossom like a flower from a bud.”
CMD Upendra Rai highlighted that freedom is the highest value in modern life. He stressed the importance of striving for spiritual growth alongside material prosperity.
He cited the United States as a global leader in wealth and capitalism. CMD Upendra Rai said India has always claimed the role of ‘guru’ in spirituality, which remains true today.
India’s real strength lies in its spiritual consciousness.
He referenced great figures such as Mahavir, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela. CMD Upendra Rai said they paved the way for both material and spiritual freedom.
CMD Upendra Rai asked a thought-provoking question: if the wealth of the world’s capitalists stood on one side and Buddha and Mahavir on the other, whom would the world choose? He emphasised that India’s development vision must be holistic, integrating material, spiritual, civilizational, and cultural dimensions.
Expressing his deep connection to Ghazipur, CMD Upendra Rai proudly stated that he always identifies with Ghazipur and his ancestral village, Sherpur Kala.
He noted that nearly 200 villagers received freedom fighter pensions, and eight from his village sacrificed their lives during the Quit India Movement on August 18, 1942.
He highlighted Ghazipur as the birthplace of heroes like Mangal Pandey and Abdul Hamid.
On the role of literature, CMD Upendra Rai said society can survive without literature, but cannot thrive. Literature gives society new ideas, creativity, and intellectual vitality.
He stressed that young people must be instilled with literary values for India’s development to retain its cultural consciousness.
CMD Rai also reflected on modern definitions of knowledge, warning against valuing only education that leads to money and employment, which distances society from its roots.
He noted Ghazipur’s global impact through indentured labourers who made their mark in Suriname, Fiji, Guyana, and South Africa.
CMD Upendra Rai advised the youth, “Never forget your roots. Success gives height, but roots give strength.”
He emphasised the power of words and the critical role of parents in children’s achievements.
The festival concluded with CMD Upendra Rai’s call to derive meaningful outcomes from these discussions, restoring India’s lost pride and valour.
The Ghazipur Literature Festival 2025 proved that literature remains the most powerful tool to connect and inspire society.
Also Read: CMD Upendra Rai Calls For Spiritual & Intellectual Awakening At Ghazipur Literature Festival
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