New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated Delhi Shabdotsav on Friday, where she said that India’s engagement with its past, present and future must happen simultaneously to sustain its civilisational soul. She said the festival reflects a future-oriented India, firmly rooted in its cultural foundations. India has faced repeated assaults on its civilisation, culture and education, yet always re-emerged because of its deep roots, the chief minister said. “Times change, but the soul of India is eternal.” The chief minister said that modernity in India must walk hand in hand with values. Holding science in one hand and culture in the other, she said, is the biggest need for the present generation. The theme Bharat Abhyudaya mirrors India’s rise as an economic, political, strategic and cultural power, she said. Gupta also highlighted Delhi govt’s push to celebrate festivals of different regions — Chhath, Ganesh Chaturthi, Kanwar Yatra, Durga Puja and Diwali — with equal authenticity, calling Delhi a living example of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Shabdotsav, she added, would be an annual feature, and would grow bigger each year. Union minister of state Harsh Malhotra said Shabdotsav goes far beyond books and showcases India’s ancient and living cultural heritage. Referring to Nalanda and Takshashila, Malhotra said India was a Vishwaguru centuries ago and must reclaim that role by blending education with values. “Degrees alone are not enough. Culture completes education,” he said, adding that platforms such as Shabdotsav are vital to connect the youth with India’s traditions. Delhi culture and tourism minister Kapil Mishra struck a sharper ideological note, beginning his address by saying that terrorism and violence are first born in the mind before appearing as guns and bombs. “Naxalism, terrorism and ideological violence have their roots in thought. Delhi Shabdotsav is a surgical strike on that ideological terrorism,” he said. Mishra said Delhi’s cultural space was earlier neglected or diverted in “anti-cultural directions”, a trend reversed under Gupta’s leadership. Listing grand celebrations of Chhath, Diwali at Kartavya Path, Kanwar Yatra and Navratri, he said the aim is to re-establish Delhi as India’s cultural capital. The festival features over 100 speakers, the release of more than 40 books, participation from 50 colleges, major poets’ conferences, cultural performances and open forums, with nearly 60,000 registrations already recorded.
