Lucknow: The Social Welfare Department of Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with Metaphor Lucknow LitFest, organized a two-day ‘Bhagidari Sahitya Utsav’ in Lucknow. On the second day, a special session titled ‘The Strong Voice of the Marginalized Community’ was held at Bhagidari Bhawan in Gomti Nagar.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak attended the event as the chief guest and praised the Social Welfare Department’s efforts in bringing marginalized communities into the mainstream. He emphasized that literary discussions on books written by marginalized authors are a commendable initiative. Expressing confidence, he stated that such efforts would provide a platform for the marginalized communities and enable further progress in the future.
Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun was present as the special guest. He highlighted that the double-engine government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is consistently working towards uplifting marginalized sections of society. He expressed optimism that bringing together experts from literature, media, cinema, poetry, writing, and social reforms on one platform through the Bhagidari Sahitya Utsav would ensure equality and further Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s vision of social justice.
A short film, ‘Yaan,’ was showcased at the event, portraying the struggles of the most underprivileged sections of society. Additionally, Ekta Maheshwari spoke about the challenges faced by the transgender community, detailing the discrimination they encounter at home, school, and in society.
Prominent personalities such as Shyoraj Singh Bechain, Guru Prasad, Ashutosh Shukla, Nadeem Khan, and Nasira Sharma participated in various discussions on topics like ‘Women’s Discourse: Unheard and Untold Stories,’ ‘What Was Lost and What Was Gained,’ ‘Baba Saheb: The Untold Chapter,’ ‘Media and Cinema,’ and ‘Bhagwan Birsa Munda as a Tribal Symbol.’
The event also featured cultural programs, including a street play and performances that celebrated tribal heritage, reinforcing the importance of representation and inclusivity in the field of arts, education, and literature.
