Bhagyanagar, the city of fortune, played host to an intellectually stimulating event on Saturday evening at Jalavihar, Necklace Road. The gathering, titled “LokManthan Bhagyanagar -2024: A Colloquium of Nation-First Thinkers & Practitioners,” saw a confluence of scholars, retd civil servants, defense personnel, practitioners, and leaders from various professions who came together to deliberate on issues central to the unity and progress of Bharat.
The event began with the Deep Prajwalana ceremony, followed by cultural performances by artists showcasing Oggu Dolu, Dappu Dolu, Bathukamma, Potharaju, and traditional songs. The event on August 10 served as a curtain raiser for the grand program scheduled for November 2024. The organizers also announced the reception committee for the upcoming event.
The event was presided over by Bandi Sanjay, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. In his opening remarks, Bandi Sanjay emphasized the importance of fostering a collective national identity that transcends regional and cultural divisions. He highlighted the role of such discussions in shaping policies and narratives that reflect the true spirit of Bharat.
The guest of honor, Brahmasri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma, Founder of Rishipeetham, spoke on the significance of cultural and spiritual unity in sustaining the nation’s ethos among all people, whether they live in forests, villages, or urban areas. He elaborated on the ancient wisdom embedded in Bharatiya traditions, which can guide contemporary society in overcoming the challenges posed by modernity.
J Nandakumar, the National Convenor of Pragna Pravah, delivered the keynote address, focusing on the theme and the reasons behind “LokManthan”. He said in recent times, we have witnessed a deliberate attempt to create artificial divisions within our society—divisions that are alien to our culture and philosophy. There is a narrative called ‘Classic’ and ‘folk’, largely influenced by Western perspectives, that seeks to label and separate our people. This narrative paints a picture where those living in rural or forested areas are seen as uncivilized, while urban dwellers are considered civilized. This is not just a distortion of facts; it is an outright denial of Bharat’s intrinsic values.
The terms “classic” and “folk” were used by colonial forces to create societal binaries, a division that persisted in Indian society even after independence, contrary to the common man’s expectations. Our ancient wisdom does not subscribe to such divisive labels. Instead, it recognizes the inherent oneness that permeates all aspects of life. The distinction between the so-called civilized and uncivilized is a construct that has been propagated by certain academic circles and left-liberal groups, aiming to weaken the very identity of our society. Our culture, our traditions, our way of life—these are all testaments to the oneness that binds us.
Today’s event is just the beginning. It serves as a curtain raiser for the grand program scheduled for November, where we will continue to celebrate the oneness of our society. Bharat’s strength lies in its unity, and through this colloquium, we shall reaffirm that strength and carry it forward.
Dr. T Hanuman Chowdary, Chairman of Pragna Bharati and a Padma Shri awardee, emphasized the need for a united stand against divisive narratives being spread through different platforms. Announcing the Reception Committee for the upcoming grand event, he shared that it includes 108 eminent personalities. Among the distinguished names are G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Coal, Retd Justice Narasimha Reddy, Bandi Sanjay, Minister of State for Home Affairs, along with several other notable figures from diverse professional backgrounds.
Swamini Suvidyamrita Prana of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, another esteemed guest of honor, shared insights on the spiritual dimension of unity and launched the dedicated portal of the event.
At the same time, Lok Kalaakaar Shri Dasari Kondappa, a Padma Shri awardee from Telangana, highlighted the role of arts in preserving and promoting Bharatiya culture. He is the last surviving artist who can make Burraveena and render music using the same. Though coming from a remote rural background, the lyrics of his music reflect the same common wisdom of Bharat that can be seen even in so-called classical (as per Western classification) literature and philosophies.
The colloquium served as a precursor to the larger event, LokManthan, scheduled for November 21-24, 2024. LokManthan is Bharat’s largest colloquium, celebrating the nation’s diverse yet unified culture. This biannual event aims to dismantle the perceived artificial divisions among people from varied backgrounds, thought processes, traditions, and systems.
As the evening progressed, the speakers and participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, underscoring the significance of such platforms in shaping a cohesive and forward-looking Bharat. The event concluded with a strong message of unity, cultural pride, and the reaffirmation of the nation-first philosophy that LokManthan stands for.
LokManthan provides a unique platform for engagement and deliberation with eminent academicians, thinkers, philosophers, researchers, artists, and activists. Through these discussions, the event seeks to establish a common understanding and approach to the divisive narratives prevalent in society. Ultimately, LokManthan aspires to evolve a new discourse that strengthens the unity of Bharatiyas, embracing diversity as a cornerstone of the nation’s identity.
At the event, the organizers launched “Lokmathanam: Sankalpana,” a 32-page booklet outlining the theme and concept behind this celebration. Additionally, a brochure was introduced, providing details about previous Lokmanthan events held in Bhopal 2016, Ranchi 2018, Guwahati 2022, and the upcoming event scheduled for November 2024.
The LokManthan Bagyanagar 2024 event is supported by the following partners: Pragna Pravah, Pragna Bharati, Itihasa Sankalana Samiti, Samskara Bharati, Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, Vijnana Bharati (Vibha), and Akhila Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad.
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