Saint-Literature: A unique set of different thought-arrays of Indian thought – Padmashree Prof Harmohinder Singh Bedi

Aligarh : The Department of Modern Indian Languages, Aligarh Muslim University,under the joint auspices of Marathi Section and Punjabi Section and Uttar Pradesh Punjabi Academy, Lucknoworganized a two-day national seminar on “Value, Social Consciousness and Relevance of Saint Literature”.

Addressing the inaugural session, the chief guest, Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh Central University, Dharamshala, Padma Shri Prof. Harmohinder Singh Bedi said that, “Saint-literature is a unique set of different thought-arrays of Indian thought. In the dark age of ignorance, illiteracy and immorality of the then India, the light of knowledge which was lit by the saints belonging to the low level of society on the strength of self-realization and instinct, is wonderful and unique.

Presiding over the inaugural session, AMU Vice Chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor said that the path of different religions may be different but the end point is the same. Religious saints taught us tolerance, peace, brotherhood and unity and we should try to follow their teachings to become better human beings.

The guest of honour, Prof. Satish Barve (former Head, Marathi Department, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) said, “Today in the era of globalization and competition, man is moving away from man. He has become self-centred and is deviating from the moral values prevailing in human conduct. He said that it is necessary to develop moral values and awareness to give proper education to human beings.

Sahitya Akademi Awardee and renowned poet, Prof. Mohanjit Singh said that the ideas in Sant Sahitya are useful in many ways in today’s scientific era as well as in the contemporary context. This can be considered in many ways. Today many problems have arisen in society. Instability, uncertainty and insecurity prevails in society.

Prof. Avinash Awalgaonkar (Former Marathi Department Head, Savitribai Phule University, Pune) said Sant literature has a rich tradition of seven hundred years and its thoughts are timeless and relevanteven in modern era. They give a new vision and a new thinking to society, and seek to make society civilized.

Mr. Arvind Narayan Mishra (Public Relations Officer, Uttar Pradesh Punjabi Academy, Language Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh) said, “The eternal speech of saints wasrelevant not only in the medieval period, but it remained important for every era of Indian culture. Saint-poetry is just an illustration of the simple-hearted feeling of devotees who wish well for everyone.

Prof Arif Nazir (Dean of the Faculty of Arts) said that literature created from social conditions changes the social conditions.Literature not only influenced contemporary society but also changed society. The social transformation power of saint literature is not limited to that time only; this process is going on even today.

Eminent Punjabi litterateur and former head ofPunjabi Department, Delhi University, Prof Manjit Singh said that it would be unfair to see the movement of saints only from the religious point of view as the main objective of its pioneers was to eradicate social evilsand they propounded a new code of conduct useful for secular and spiritual life of all humans.

Chairperson of the department, Prof M.A. Dargarwelcomed the guests, while the programme was coordinated by the director of the seminar, Dr. Taher Pathan. Seminar coordinator Prof. Kranti Pal proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr. Taher Pathan’s books ‘Dalit literature in multiple dimensions’ and ‘Dalit literature in Indian language’ were also released.Research scholars from AMU and other universities have submitted 63 research articles.

Former music teacher, Johnny Foster presented AMUTarana in Marathi, Punjabi, Kashmiri, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali.