At the Baithka Hall of Maa Danteshwari Herbal Estate, Kondagaon, a historic event, “Honouring the Esteemed Hajjis and Civic Felicitation with Kavi Sammelan”, was organised under the joint auspices of the Chhattisgarh Hindi Sahitya Parishad (Kondagaon Unit), Hindi Sahitya Bharati (Kondagaon Unit), Kaksaad (National Monthly Journal on Tribal Concerns), Sampada Voluntary Organisation, and the Tribal Research and Development Institute (TWRF).
The chief guest was Vijay Singh, renowned poet and editor of the nationally acclaimed magazine Sutra. The programme was presided over by Dr. Rajaram Tripathi, editor of Kaksaad journal.
Distinguished Guests
The felicitation ceremony honoured an impressive galaxy of eminent Hajjis:
Haji Mohd. Yasin, Haji Mohd. Idrish, Haji Mohd. Imran Memon, Haji Mohd. Asrar Memon, Haji Mohd. Aslam Mansoori, Haji Mohd. Arif, Haji Faiz Mohd. Khan, Haji Sheikh Ramzan Husain, Haji Yusuf Rizvi, Haji Taqi Rizvi, Haji Umar Memon, Haji Mohd. Wahid, Haji Salim Memon, Haji Khalil Jagirdar, Haji Mohd. Habib, Haji Syed Yusuf Haji, Haji Moinuddin Badguzar, Haji Siddiq Sillat, Haji Rafiq Kapadia, Haji Lukman Sillat, Haji Majid Motiwala, Haji Syed Qadir, Haji Mohd. Anwar, and Haji Sirajuddin.
Special invitees included Harendra Yadav (President, Chhattisgarh Hindi Sahitya Parishad, Kondagaon), eminent litterateur Aditya Vikram Singh, popular municipal councillor Manish Srivastava, T. Anurag Kumar (Director, Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group), and Jasmati Netam (President, Sampada Voluntary Organisation).
The evening was gracefully conducted with wit and verse by the acclaimed poet Syed Tausif Alam, whose style drew wide admiration.
Keynote Address
In his presidential remarks, Dr. Rajaram Tripathi underlined the purpose of the gathering:
“Unity in diversity has always been India’s greatest strength and legacy. Today, certain forces seek to fracture this brotherhood, but their designs will never succeed. This land belongs equally to Hindus, Muslims, and followers of every faith. We must strengthen our nation together, and when we unite in spirit and action, no power on earth can stop India from becoming the number one nation in the world.”
Felicitation Ceremony
All esteemed Hajjis were accorded a warm welcome with attars, shawls, and gifts of dates. A special attraction of the event was the bouquets made from Bastar’s indigenous date palm leaves (Jhind). These never-wilting bouquets, prepared by tribal students under the guidance of senior lecturer and writer Umesh Mandavi, stood as a unique example of tribal artistry and a living symbol of enduring harmony.
Kavi Sammelan and Addresses
The literary and cultural segment added remarkable depth to the event:
-
Humorist Umesh Mandavi recited his much-talked-about Election Poem, evoking laughter and applause.
-
Young poetess Deshbati Kaushik presented a moving poem centred on Hindu–Muslim unity.
-
Veteran writer Shivlal Sharma impressed the audience with his poignant reflections on social harmony.
-
Renowned Manas Sevak Lokesh Gaikwad from Keshkal addressed the gathering and was duly honoured.
-
Eminent historian of Bastar, Ghanshyam Nag, graced the occasion with his presence.
Former President of the Kondagaon Muslim community, entrepreneur and social leader Mohammad Yasin, praised the event as a unique beginning for national strengthening and recited a poem on unity that deeply touched the audience. Irshad Rizvi highlighted the serendipity that the day also marked the birth anniversary of his late father, the celebrated poet Hayat Sahib. Dr. Tripathi announced that similar literary gatherings would be organised annually to commemorate the day.
Chief Guest Vijay Singh observed: “The spirit of communal harmony witnessed here in Kondagaon is unparalleled. Under Dr. Tripathi’s leadership, this initiative will serve as a guiding light for the entire nation.” Distinguished poet Jameel Khan also emphasised the imperative of communal unity in his address. From Kolkata, eminent poet Aditya Vikram Singh enthralled the audience with a powerful poem on social solidarity.
Twice Presidential Awardee, and fondly called the “Dronacharya of Kondagaon,” Rishabh Jain was felicitated. In his address, he underlined the vital role of unity and harmony in national strength. Eng. S.P. Vishwakarma, President of the Pensioners’ Association, presented a stirring poem underscoring the value of social concord.
A central theme highlighted was that such a tradition, where enlightened citizens and literary leaders of all communities collectively felicitate their city’s Hajjis, has no parallel elsewhere in India.
Acknowledgements
The success of the programme owed much to the dedicated efforts of senior lecturer and noted humorist Umesh Mandavi, the ever-popular Syed Tausif Alam, Anurag Tripathi (Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group), Krishna Netam, Shankar Nag, Madhuri Dewangan, and Lalaram Netam, among others.
Other dignitaries present included former councillor Irshad Rizvi, Syed Shafiq, Mazhar Jameel Khan, Mohammad Amjad, Mohammad Fakira, and Vasil Khan.
