Raipur, Jan 22: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday inaugurated the three-day Raipur Literature Festival 2026 at the Purkhouti Muktangan premises in Nava Raipur. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister described the event as a “Mahakumbh of thoughts” and a symbol of India’s burgeoning cultural consciousness during the Amrit Kaal of the Republic.

The ceremony was held at the Vinod Kumar Shukla Pavilion, named after the legendary Chhattisgarh-born writer. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh attended as the chief guest, while Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya Dr Kumud Sharma, and noted actor Manoj Joshi were present as special guests.

Addressing a large gathering of litterateurs, students, and academics, Chief Minister Sai emphasised the historical role of writers in India’s struggle for independence.

“Our freedom fighters were not just revolutionaries; many were poets, journalists, and lawyers who used the pen to ignite the flame of liberty,” the CM said. He cited Makhanlal Chaturvedi’s iconic poem Pushp ki Abhilasha, penned in Bilaspur jail, and Madhavrao Sapre’s Ek Tokri Bhar Mitti—widely regarded as the first Hindi short story—as examples of Chhattisgarh’s contribution to the national literary canon.

The Chief Minister further noted that the festival coincides with the silver jubilee year of Chhattisgarh’s statehood. He reiterated the government’s commitment to preserving the state’s heritage, mentioning the Triveni Museum in Rajnandgaon which honours the memories of Pandit Lochan Prasad Pandey, Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi, and Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh.

Chief Guest and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh highlighted the link between economic growth and intellectual development. He stated that as India moves toward the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, literature remains the most powerful medium to awaken social consciousness and provide courage in times of despair.

“India is currently the world’s fastest-growing economy, leading in sectors from steel production to startups. However, behind this national strength lies the silent but powerful role of literature, which gives direction to society,” Harivansh said. He also acknowledged the deep spiritual connection between Chhattisgarh and Saint Kabir, noting that Kabir’s teachings have a special resonance in the Kawardha region.

Book Launches and Academic Discourse

To mark the 25th anniversary of the state’s formation, the guests released a commemorative coffee table book documenting the journey of Chhattisgarh’s litterateurs. Several other titles were also launched, including: National Selfhood in Science by J. Nandkumar, Laal Deewarein, Safed Jhoot by Prof. Anshu Joshi, Tera Raj Nahi Aayega Re by Rajiv Ranjan Prasad

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, speaking on the occasion of Basant Panchami, remarked that the festival serves as a platform for self-reflection and cultural awakening. Dr Kumud Sharma added that literature acts as a “mint of human culture,” refining the values of the youth.

Extensive Literary Sessions

The festival features 120 renowned authors and scholars from across India. Over the next two days, 42 sessions will be conducted across various pavilions dedicated to literary stalwarts like Shyam Lal Chaturvedi, Lala Jagdalpuri, and Aniruddha Neerav. These sessions will cover a wide spectrum of themes, ranging from tribal folklore and contemporary politics to the role of social media in modern storytelling.

The inaugural event saw the presence of CM’s Media Advisor Pankaj Jha, veteran journalist Anant Vijay, and Chhattisgarh Sahitya Academy Chairman Shashank Sharma, alongside thousands of literature enthusiasts from the Raipur district.