By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR:Today, on the auspicious occasion of ‘Savitri Amavasya’, the new poetry collection ‘Kavita Kusumanjali’ by renowned poet and columnist Shriyut Krishna Jagdeb was formally launched in the holy land of Puri, the seat of Odia literature, culture and spirituality. Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, who attended the event as the chief guest, released the book and extended his heartfelt congratulations to the poet and the publisher.
On this occasion, Shri Pradhan said that ‘Kavita Kusumanjali’ is not just a collection of words, but it is a unique manifestation of devotion, society and patriotism. This collection of poems has a unique combination of devotion to God and social sensitivity. Krishna Bhai is a multifaceted talent, in whom the culture of Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das and the consciousness of the Puri land are filled. As a prominent preacher of the Sangh family and a dedicated worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he has done penance for the welfare of the society throughout his life rather than his own happiness. By composing meaningful columns in his pen, he has always influenced and inspired the society.
Regarding the first poem of the Union Minister’s book, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji recalled a memorable memory of him and said that Modi Ji had come to Odisha as a Sangh worker to compile history during the Emergency in the country. Since Puri Peturia Sahi was locked in his office, he went to his village on Krishna Bhai’s scooter. Later, even after becoming the Prime Minister, the moment he got down from the helicopter, he greeted his old colleague who was standing in the lineup by saying “Aare Krishna Jagdev Tum Khede Ho!” and talking about Krishna Bhai shows the respect and friendship the Prime Minister has towards him. Krishna Bhai has trained many social workers, starting from the Prime Minister, with his own strength.
Highlighting the cultural significance of the current year 2026, Shri Pradhan said that after the looting of the Somnath Temple by the Khayas about 1000 years ago, i.e. in 1026, the self-confidence that India lost, today, after that 1000 years, with the blessings of Lord Somnath and Lord Jagannath, a new chapter of cultural awakening is being created in the country. On this basis, today we are not only bringing back our cultural glory, but this awakening has doubled our self-confidence, which has formed the foundation of the formation of ‘Developed Odisha’ and ‘Developed India’. Odisha’s art, literature, culture and Odia identity will be the main charioteers of this development journey.
Before the Saraswat ceremony, the Union Minister Shri Pradhan Puri paid homage to the statue of Utkalamani Pandit Gopabandhu Das at the Gopabandhu Ayurvedic College premises. He said that Utkalamani’s sacrifice, service and culture will always inspire our society. He expressed his gratitude to everyone for the book gifts presented by eminent literary figures at the Saraswat program and prayed to Lord Jagannath for Krishna Bhai’s long life and all-round success of the book ‘Kavita Kusumanjali’.
