Pragna Bharati celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day with grandeur at the Marriott Convention Centre, Bhagyanagar, on October 18. The event, themed “Information Warfare and National Security – Challenges for Viksit Bharat,” witnessed the participation of eminent personalities, intellectuals and public leaders.
Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chief Guest, called upon citizens to preserve India’s civilisational wisdom and cultural heritage.
“Our old books are treasures of wisdom. We must respect our values, our Bharatiya history, and pass this pragna — this knowledge and consciousness — to the next generation,” he said.
In a firm message against extremism, he urged Naxalites to introspect their ideology, stating: “You cannot bring revolution through the barrel of a gun. Change must come through awareness and participation, not violence. There is no space for Naxalism in today’s India.”
He welcomed those choosing to join the mainstream, describing it as a positive and progressive step, and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their governance and national vision.
Calling for a return to healthy habits, Naidu said: “People should lead healthy lives and eat nutritious, protein-rich food, not just routine meals.”
“We are all Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — one family,” he reminded the audience, urging everyone to protect cultural values, familial ties.
Naidu also expressed his love for the Telugu language, calling it “close to his heart”, and reiterated that India today is the fastest-growing economy, not a “dead economy”.
“India is rising. Let us all be part of this journey with pride, unity, and purpose,” he concluded.
Naidu described Padma T. Hanuman Chowdary, Chairman of Pragna Bharati, as a “treasure trove of knowledge” and lauded his lifelong service to public life and national causes. Chowdary was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award and felicitated on his 95th birthday.
Naidu also congratulated Sri Raka Sudhakar Rao, recipient of the Pragna Puraskar, for inspiring the younger generation through his writings and public engagement. “We must guide our youth in the right direction. Giving good direction to the younger generation is essential,” he noted.
Recalling his admiration for the works of Mudigonda Siva Prasad, he lauded the author’s contribution to Telugu literature, especially his historical novels that blend authentic history with engaging fiction.
He also recalled his association with Pragna Bharati over the past three decades of its remarkable journey.
Addressing the gathering, Hanuman Chowdary urged citizens to embrace a nationalistic path, identify internal and external threats, and remain vigilant against divisive forces.
The event also featured Prajna Pravah National Convenor J. Nandakumar, who, in his speech, emphasised the need to raise voices in defence of truth.
He referred to the theme of “Operation Sindoor”, symbolising a cultural awakening against ideological aggression and distortion of narratives.
“The silence of good people often becomes more dangerous than the noise of wrongdoers,” he observed, stressing that those who remain neutral or indifferent during crucial times of national discourse indirectly enable the spread of falsehoods.
Calling for a vibrant nationalist narrative, Nandakumar said, “We must raise our voices and assert our perspective. To win the narrative battles, we cannot afford to be silent spectators.”
He recalled that Pragna Bharati was established even before the formation of Prajna Pravah, both rooted in the same vision, to create a nationalist intellectual framework in society.
“It is our duty to speak out and spread our message. The silence of independent thinkers, those who know the truth but choose to stay quiet, is equally harmful,” he remarked.
He emphasised that history itself would judge the silence of the capable and conscientious. “When truth demands a voice, neutrality becomes complicity. The time will script that those who did not react when the nation needed them were also sinners,” he said, urging intellectuals, writers, and citizens to break their silence and contribute to the national awakening.
The organisers presented a brief reflection on 33 years of Pragna Bharati’s journey, highlighting its contributions to intellectual discourse and nationalist thought.
National Human Rights Commission member Vijaya Bharati also shared the stage on this occasion.
The Pragna Puraskar Awards were presented to Raka Sudhakar Rao, senior journalist and author, and Mudigonda Sivaprasad, noted novelist and historian, for their contributions to literature and national thought. The recipients expressed gratitude, saying the recognition brought greater responsibility to do more and do better.
The evening also saw the release of special publication marking 100 years of the RSS, published by Jagriti Weekly in Telugu, alongside the launch of Swayambodh & Shatrubodh (English) by Pankaj Saxena and Kallola Bharatham (Telugu) by Kovela Santhosh Kumar.
The programme concluded with closing remarks by Ventrapragada Srinivas, president, and Raghu, secretary and team of Pragna Bharati, expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and participants.
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