Union Minister Shekhawat Emphasizes the Need to Learn from the Tragedy of India’s Partition
New Delhi: The Partition of India, an unforgettable tragedy, marked the nation’s independence on August 15, 1947, at a tremendous cost, with millions killed and countless others displaced. To honor the sacrifices of Partition victims, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced from the Red Fort on August 15, 2021, that August 14 would be observed annually as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.’ This day intends to honour the memory and sacrifices of the ‘Partition’ and keep the nation vigilant. In alignment with this vision, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, organized the 2024 ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ on August 14 at the Plenary Hall of Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event was honored by the presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, who served as the chief guest.
Other distinguished guests included Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Earth Sciences and Personnel, Public Grievances; Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region; Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology; Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution; Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highways; Shri V. Somanna, Minister of State for Jal Shakti; and Shri Shankar Lalwani, Hon’ble MP from Indore.
On this occasion, the teaser of the documentary film ‘A New Postbox: Tales from the Partition’, directed by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, was released by the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. This film will be broadcasted on Doordarshan and Sansad TV. Prior to this, a book titled ‘Vibhajan Ki Kahaniyan’ (Stories of Partition), based on the tragedy of the ‘Partition’, was also released by the dignitaries present on the stage. The book has been jointly edited by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, and Prof. Ravi Prakash Tekchandani, Director of the National Sindhi Language Development Council.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while speaking on this occasion, elaborated on the pain of ‘Partition’ and its causes. He emphasized that it is important to remember the horrors of ‘Partition’ so that future generations can understand and feel its impact. He clarified that the intention behind this remembrance is not political, but rather to learn from it and build a better future. The tragedy of India’s ‘Partition’, one of the greatest human tragedies in history, did not receive the recognition in history that it deserved due to various political reasons. The suffering and displacement of millions of people were marginalized. The Minister of Culture emphasized on a crucial point, stating that while history may serve as a mere reference point or term of reference for outsiders, for stakeholders, it is a vital school of learning that guides the construction of a better future. At the outset of his address, he conveyed an apology on behalf of the Hon’ble Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, for his absence from the event due to unavoidable circumstances.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar recalled the background and pain of the Bengal Partition and spoke about the ‘Banga-Bhanga’ (Partition of Bengal) imposed by the British in 1905. He mentioned that his grandfather was also displaced from East Bengal (now Bangladesh) and migrated to West Bengal. During that tragedy, his father’s younger brother was separated from the family and was never found again. Shri Shankar Lalwani expressed the suffering of those displaced from Sindh, noting that while parts of Bengal and Punjab became part of India, no part of Sindh was included in India.
The entire event was coordinated by Prof. K. Anil Kumar, Head of the Janapada Sampada Division at IGNCA. The program saw the attendance of family members of those who suffered during the Partition, students from Delhi University, youth, and people from all walks of society in large numbers.