RESPONSIBILITY TO PASS ON THE LITERARY LEGACY OF ACHARYA SHIVPUJAN SAHAY TO THE NEW GENERATION: PROF. KRISHNA KANT SINGH

RESPONSIBILITY TO PASS ON THE LITERARY LEGACY OF ACHARYA SHIVPUJAN SAHAY TO THE NEW GENERATION: PROF. KRISHNA KANT SINGH

10-AUG-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-------------------------The 'Acharya Shivpujan Sahay Memorial Festival' was organized in Unwans—the ancestral village of the great Hindi litterateur and literary journalist Acharya Shivpujan Sahay—to honor his memory. Many dignitaries from the fields of literature, education, and social service participated in the event, which was coordinated by Mr. Vimal Kumar of *Stree Darpan*, New Delhi. The program featured in-depth discussions on Acharya Shivpujan Sahay’s life, his literary body of work, and his contribution to the Hindi Renaissance.

The chief guest at the ceremony was Prof. (Dr.) Krishna Kant Singh, Principal of Maharshi Vishwamitra College, Buxar. The keynote speaker, Dr. Pankaj Kumar Chaudhary (Head of the Postgraduate Hindi Department), shed detailed light on Acharya Shivpujan Sahay’s life, literature, and contributions to literary journalism. Distinguished guests, including Dr. Vairagi Prabhash Kumar Chaturvedi and the *Mukhiya* (village head) of Unwans, were present, alongside literature enthusiasts, educationists, villagers, and students.

The program commenced with the offering of floral tributes and garlands at the statue of Acharya Shivpujan Sahay. Subsequently, the ceremony was formally inaugurated with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp. Children welcomed the guests by performing a welcome song. The guests and speakers were honored with *angavastras* (traditional stoles) and bouquets.

Chief guest Prof. (Dr.) Krishna Kant Singh remarked that Acharya Shivpujan Sahay was a towering figure of his era in Hindi literature; through his writing, he not only enriched the Hindi language and literature but also gave a new direction to the Hindi Renaissance. His literature is deeply rooted in Indian society, folk life, and human sensibilities. He emphasized that it is the collective responsibility of all to pass on Acharya Shivpujan Sahay’s rich literary legacy to the new generation.

Keynote speaker Dr. Pankaj Kumar Chaudhary stated that Acharya Shivpujan Sahay’s contribution to the development of the Hindi language, literary journalism, and the Hindi Renaissance is immensely significant. His persona was not limited to that of a litterateur; he was also an accomplished editor and a profound social thinker. His works offer a powerful expression of the society, folk life, and public sentiments of his time. During the event, meaningful and serious discussions took place regarding various aspects of Hindi literature, the Hindi language, and the Hindi Renaissance. Speakers remarked that organizing such an event in Acharya Shivpujan Sahay’s ancestral village—in his memory—is a significant initiative towards keeping his literary legacy alive. Such events play a vital role in connecting the new generation with their literary forebears and their creative traditions.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Naveen Shankar Pathak, Assistant Professor in the Postgraduate Department of History at Maharshi Vishwamitra College, Buxar. Expressing gratitude to the guests, speakers, literature enthusiasts, and organizers present, he noted that this event, held in memory of Acharya Shivpujan Sahay, serves as a significant opportunity to strengthen the dialogue between literature and society.