Thr 4th International Literature Summit and World Poetry Conference at Hotel Oyster, Chandigarh was organized by Aazad Foundation [Regd] and World Literature under the wings of Dr. Jernail Singh Anand from 6 to 7 Nov. 2022, in which 70 poets from different parts of the world participated. The concern of the conference was “Dwindling human values in contemporary times and the role of Literature”. The scholars, poets, and educationists hailing from India and abroad put their heads and hearts together to debate the issues related to the theme. Welcoming the guests, Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, President of the Conference referred to the central issues to be addressed by the scholars.
The Keynote Address was delivered by noted scholar and internationally acclaimed author, Dr. Harish Narang, Former Chair, Dept. of English, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi. One of the top-ranking poets in the world, Dr. Maja Herman Sekulic, a Serbian-US poet, awarded and recognized worldwide, chaired the conference. The organizing Committee Chairman was Dr. Basudeb Chakraborti [Kolkata-US] and Dr. Bhagirath Choudhary was the Chief Guest. Local poets and leading literary figures like Prof. Brahm Jagdish Singh, Dr. I. D. Singh, Sh. Vinod Khanna, Col Dr. Dalvinder Singh Grewal, and Col. D. S. Cheema also graced the occasion.
In their presentations, the scholars and poets made an awakening call to society for its degrading ethical values and apprised them of the uncontrollable crime against women, their increasing disrespect in the social system, and the rising threat of artificial intelligence ad uncontrolled social media. Only following the positive literature could lead society from this pitiable milieu. Centering around the theme, more than two dozen scholars from Universities, Colleges, and research institutions presented their papers.
The function saw the world premiere of 25 books by esteemed authors, notable among them were Dr. Dalvinder Singh Grewal, [six books Coffee Table book on Guru Nanak Life Travels and Teachings with over 150 photographs and maps Life Travels and Teaching, Guru Tegh bahadur Life Travels and Teachings with 243 photographs, and maps, Guru Nanak Dev Ji as Communicator Par Excellence over 530 pages on his poetry, linguistics, Phonetics, and Grammar, Creation of Universe as per SGGS, Sri Guru Granth Sahib vich Ras te Bhav and Global Grewals], Sh. Raj Babu Gandham, [Beats], Dr. Laksmi Sri Banerjee, [Phoenix and Where Rustling Leaves Laugh and Cry,] Dr. Bina Singh (Pighalte Lamhe), Dr. Kiran Preet [The Magical Necar] and Ashu Garg [Ration for the Soul], Dr. Molly Joseph
[Voice over the Waves], Dr. Shalini Yadav [Across the Seas], Dr. Manjeet Rathee, Harinder Cheema, M. A. Rathore’s three books, Bhanwar Lal Jat [Two and Two make Five], Dr. J. S. Anand [Earthlings (ed by Dr. Sumedha Bhandari), The Ultronic Age, The Netherworld, The Real Corporate (ed by Dr. Brad Aron Modlin, USA), The Point Counter Point, a working dedicated to Italian Nobel Laureate Grazia Deledda] and Dr. Manminder Singh Anand edited Critical Review of Anand’s The Mahakaal Trilogy.
Keynote Speakers Dr. Harish Narang and Maja Herman Sekulic have conferred the International Award: Wizard of Words, while Dr. Molly Joseph and Dr. Laksmisree Banerjee received the Master of Alphabet Award. Dr. Yash Pal Sharma, former Dean of Academic Affairs, at Punjabi University, Patiala, was felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award in Art and Culture and Prof. Randhir Gautam, received the Aazaad International Award in Cosmic Consciousness and Social Harmony. Sh. Balachandran Nair, a poet from Kerala, was conferred the Master of Alphabet award for his extensive work in the rural areas of Kerala among young students, giving wings to the literary culture among youngsters.
Dr. Anand appreciated the efforts made by the World Ambassadors of Goodwill namely Hela Tekali [Tunisia], Eva Lainus Petropolou [Greece], Dr. Stella Theresa Luna [Philippines], Maria Teresa [Italy], Tariq Muhammad [USA], and Mirzana Pasic Koderic from Bosnia Herzegovina. Dr. Bajram Redzepagic [Australia], Dr. Armeli Quezon [USA] and Sh. Ashok Bhargava [Canada] received an honorable mention for their literary achievements.
In the International section, Greek poet Angeliki Zevgolati recited the Cosmic Anthem composed by Dr. Anand, followed by the presentations of Dr. Aprilia Zank [Univ. of Munich, Germany], Dr. George Only [Egypt], Dr. Nizar Sartawi [Jordan], Dr. Marlene Pasini [Mexico], Dr. Eva Lianou Petropoulou [Greece], Franca Colozzo, [Italy], and a few more International scholars.
Dr. Parneet Jaggi [Rajasthan] hosted the entire program, admirably, assisted by co-anchors. Dr. Lalit Mohan Sharma, Dr. Molly Joseph, Prof. Brahm Jagdish Singh, Dr. Bina Singh, Sh. Mukul Kumar was among the notable poets and scholars who addressed the gathering. The whole Festival was full of sensibility and sensitivity towards humanity and Poetry making it a gala success and ending with promises of more excellent carnivals in the future.
