Minutes -
National Literary Seminar and Poetry Conference
Organising bodies:
Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust and Literaturenama Institute (Joint Auspices)
Subject :
"National consciousness and cultural identity in the poetry of great poet Jaishankar Prasad"
sub theme :
"Prasad's visionary poetic form: timeless national and cultural message"
Date: July 19, 2026 (Sunday)
Medium: Google Meet (Online)
Introduction to the National Literary Seminar
This national literary symposium and poetry session, organized under the joint auspices of the Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust and the Literaturenama Institute, took place in a highly dignified, informative, and literary atmosphere. The program's objective was to seriously discuss the national consciousness, cultural identity, human values, and the various dimensions of the visionary personality of the great poet Jaishankar Prasad, embodied in his poetry.
Literary scholars, teachers, researchers, students, poets, and literature lovers from various states of the country participated in this event and made it meaningful through their thoughts and writings. The symposium focused on the contemporary relevance of the great poet Jaishankar Prasad's literature, the preservation of Indian culture, and the promotion of national consciousness. The poetry session that followed made the literary atmosphere even more vibrant and emotional.
Operation
Shri Vishal Malviya
Editor-Director, Literaturenama Institute and Director, Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust
The entire program was effectively, gracefully, and eruditely conducted by Mr. Vishal Malviya. He opened the program with powerful lines from the great poet Jaishankar Prasad, highlighting the national and cultural significance of Prasada literature. He introduced all the guests and successfully conducted the entire program with utmost restraint, decorum, and literary dignity.
Mother Saraswati Vandana
The program began with a prayer to Goddess Saraswati, "Mata Saraswati Sharda..." presented by Dr. Shipra Mishra (East Champaran, Bihar). Her melodious, soulful, and melodious singing filled the atmosphere with spiritual, knowledgeable, and literary energy. Her performance created a deeply sacred and inspiring atmosphere for the program.
Welcome statement
Shri Awadhesh Kumar Gupta - Trustee, Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust
After worshipping Goddess Saraswati, Shri Awadhesh Kumar Gupta cordially welcomed and congratulated all the chief guests, distinguished speakers, litterateurs, researchers, poets, teachers, students and literature lovers from across the country.
Shedding light on the purpose of the establishment of the Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust and its literary and cultural journey, he said that the Trust's primary objective is to widely disseminate the literature, national thought, and cultural philosophy of Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad. Emphasizing the need for seminars and literary events, he called on all literature lovers to actively participate in such events.
Thoughts from the keynote speakers
First Chief Guest – Mrs. Gyanvati Saxena
Mr. Vishal Malviya, in his skillful and effective conduct, invited the first chief guest, Mrs. Gyanvati Saxena. In his address, he said that the great poet Jaishankar Prasad was not only a prominent pillar of Chhayavad, but also a capable interpreter of Indian culture, national consciousness, and human values. His literature reflects a remarkable synthesis of Indian philosophy, spiritual contemplation, human sensibilities, and patriotism. He added that Prasad's works transcend the boundaries of time, providing new direction and inspiration to each generation, and are as relevant today as they were at the time of his creation. Following his speech, he moved the audience by reciting his own emotional poem, "Jeena Kya Hota Hai Jana, Maine Tumko Pakar."
Second keynote speaker – Dr. Ashutosh Shastri
The second keynote speaker, Dr. Ashutosh Shastri, elaborated on the personality and work of the great poet Jaishankar Prasad in his insightful address. He stated that Prasadji acquired unparalleled scholarship not through formal university education, but through persistent self-study, discipline, and a thirst for knowledge. He deeply studied Sanskrit, Hindi, history, philosophy, and Indian culture, elevating his literature to extraordinary heights.
Expressing concern over the current education system, he said that despite spending millions of rupees, students are not developing the desired love for language, literature, and culture. Whereas Prasad Ji, at a young age, gave a new direction to Hindi literature through his talent and dedication. He said that the literature of the great poet Prasad is not only a literature of aesthetic sense, but also a powerful document of national consciousness, cultural self-respect, and human values. He particularly emphasized that the greatest strength of any nation is its aware, cultured, and responsible citizens, and Prasad's literature inspires us in this very way.
Third Keynote Speaker – Dr. Mahalakshmi Keshari
The third keynote speaker, Dr. Mahalakshmi Keshari, in her deeply personal and well-researched address, introduced the audience to many important events in the life, family, and literary tradition of the great poet Jaishankar Prasad. She explained that she had a close and familial relationship with the Prasad family for nearly 26 years, which gave her the opportunity to closely know and understand this literary heritage.
She explained that in the 2005–2006 session, she had the privilege of working as a proofreader for Indu magazine, which brought her closer to the literary activities of the Prasad family. She added that after Mahakavi Prasad's son, Ratnashankar, his third grandson, Shri Anand Shankar, continues to contribute to the preservation and promotion of this invaluable literary heritage. She also stated that Dr. Kavita Prasad and her husband, Shri Awadhesh Kumar Gupta, are currently working with utmost dedication and devotion to pass on the literary legacy of Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad to the new generation. Concluding her speech, she powerfully recited Mahakavi Prasad's timeless poem, "Himadri Tung Shrung Se, Prabuddha Shuddh Bharati…" , which filled the entire atmosphere with patriotism, cultural pride, and literary energy.
Fourth Keynote Speaker – Dr. Kamakhya Narayan
Following this, Dr. Kamakhya Narayan, Deputy Director of the Government of India and a distinguished thinker, said in his profound philosophical and thoughtful statement that the entire universe is shrouded in illusion, and that freeing oneself from it requires extremely difficult practice. He remembered the great poet Jaishankar Prasad as a poet who deeply explored not only the external life of humans but also their inner world.
He said that in today's society, everyone is more interested in improving others, whereas real change is possible only through self-reflection, self-discipline, and self-improvement. Referring to contemporary global conditions, he said that the drying up of the human conscience has become the root cause of most social, cultural, and moral crises. Prasad's literature teaches us to look within ourselves, gain self-awareness, and preserve human sensibilities and cultural values. His thoughts inspired the audience to deeply introspect.
poetry symposium
In the poetry symposium organized after the literary symposium, poets and litterateurs from different states of the country gave an impressive recitation of their excellent works.
Shri Sachchidanand Saha (Bhagalpur) – "We will listen to your thoughts..." song.
Dr. Pankaj Vasni – A poem full of love and compassion.
Mrs. Meenu Sharma – Impressive reading of the immortal work "Aansu" by the great poet Jaishankar Prasad.
R. C. Tanwar – "Sawan has come dancing..."
Shri Rajesh Singh – Tribute to Mahakavi Prasad.
Shri Om Ji – “Prasad from small to big”.
Poetry presentation dedicated to Honorable Sanjay ji – Prasad ji.
Dr. Sushila ji – "Childhood is over, youth is over...".
Prof. Vatsala Srivastava – A very touching poem on motherhood.
Shri Rajendra Narayan Sharma – Inspiring memories related to the great poet Prasad.
Shri Mohit Kumar Sharma (Chhattisgarh) – Emotional recitation of "Daughter's Call".
The presentations of all the poets took the program to emotional, literary and cultural heights.
Conclusion
At the conclusion of the program, Dr. Kavita Prasad Gupta presented a summary of the entire symposium and poetry session. She stated that the literature of the great poet Jaishankar Prasad is an invaluable treasure of Indian culture, national consciousness, and human values. She emphasized the need to pass this legacy on to the new generation and urged all participants to remain dedicated to literary pursuits.
Thank You Note
Dr. Kavita Prasad Ji
He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the chief guests, distinguished speakers, literary figures, poets, researchers, teachers, students, participants, and all members of the organizing committee. He particularly commended the joint efforts of the Mahakavi Jaishankar Prasad Trust and the Literaturenama Institute and expressed confidence that such events will continue to play an important role in promoting literature, culture, and national consciousness in the future.
The National Literary Seminar and Poetry Symposium concluded successfully with a vote of thanks.
Knowledge is far away, some action is different,
Why should the wishes of the mind be fulfilled?
Can't meet each other,
This is the irony of life. He formally concluded this sweet symposium with Prasad's lines: Thank you.
First paragraph present number
1. Anita Roy, 2. Arundhati Roy Biswas, 3. Dr. Shipra Mishra, 4. Dr. Ashutosh Shastri, 5. Dr. Sushila Ojha, 6. Dr. Rajshree Tanwar, 7. Madhusudan, 8. Dr. Mahalakshmi Keshari, 9. Pawan Kumar Shastri, 10. Sarita Srivastava, 11. Subhash Saxena, 12. Pankaj Astini, 13. Sachchidanand Sah, 14. Poet Shivam Srivastava, 15. Dr. Kamakhya Narayan, 16. Sonia Srivastava, 17. Shubhankar Babu, 18. Anand Verma, 19. Jagdeep Chandra, 20. Rajesh Kumar Singh, 21. Pragya Singh, 22. Samita Sharma, 23. Sanjay Saini, 24. Meenu Sharma, 25. Prakash Munj, 26. Rashmi Kushwaha, 27. Dr. Om Singh, 28. Ananya (Dr. Om), 29. Ashish Ambar, 30. Dr. Vibha Pareek, 31. Vatsala Srivastava, 32. Brajesh Yadav, 33. Anam, 34. Abhinav Arun, 35. Rashmi, 36. Shine, 37. Tanu Pandey, 38. Dr. Shusheela Keshari, 39. Chhaya Shah, 40. Mohit Kumar Sharma, 41. Seema Kushwaha, 42. Sunil Yashwant Vyas
Major achievements of the programme
Serious and meaningful national discussion on the literature of great poet Jaishankar Prasad.
Thought-provoking lecture on national consciousness, cultural identity and Indian philosophy of life.
Active participation of litterateurs, teachers, researchers and students from different states of the country.
Excellent presentations of songs, poems, poetry recitations and literary dialogues.
A successful and inspiring event towards the preservation and promotion of literature, culture and national values.
