IGNCA holds Partition Horrors Rememberance Day
Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, observed on 14 August, commemorates the immense suffering, displacement, loss of lives and destruction of social and cultural bonds endured by millions during the Partition of India in 1947, while sensitising younger generations to its tragic consequences and reinforcing the values of unity, harmony, peace and mutual understanding.
In this context, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre, Ranchi in collaboration with Ranchi University organised a special programme comprising a Padayatra, Exhibition, Special Lecture and the Third Tribal and Regional Language Poets’ Gathering on the theme “Displacement.”
The programme was graced by Vice-Chancellor, Ranchi University, as the Chief Guest. Padma Shri Balbir Dutt, senior journalist and author, delivered the special lecture. Swami Bhaveshananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Ranchi, was present as the Distinguished Guest.
The programme commenced with a Padayatra, in which approximately 400 school & college students and faculties participated.
Dr. Kumar Sanjay Jha, Regional Director, IGNCA, Regional Centre, Ranchi, coordinated the entire programme and delivered the welcome address, marking the commencement of the first session.
Padma Shri Balbir Dutt, delivered a poignant Special Lecture on the Horrors of Partition, drawing upon both historical accounts and his personal experiences. He spoke of the immense sacrifices made for India’s independence and the human suffering, displacement and loss caused by Partition, emphasising that such memories must never be forgotten. Recalling incidents he had witnessed and experiences endured by his family while migrating from Rawalpindi to India in 1947, he referred to the communal divisions of the period, including the practice of maintaining separate drinking water for Hindus and Muslims at railway stations, as well as the horrific arrival of trains carrying the bodies of those who had crossed the newly created border.
Swami Bhaveshananda Maharaj Ji, in his speech, stated that around one to two crore people had been displaced and that nearly two crore people had lost their lives during the period of Partition. He emphasised the need to understand the magnitude of this tragedy and its deeper implications. He observed that every war begins first in the human mind, and therefore, it was essential for individuals to purify their thoughts and cultivate harmony and compassion. He further reminded the gathering that India was a civilisation that believed in the timeless principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family, and emphasised the importance of upholding this spirit of unity, peace and universal brotherhood.
The programme concluded with an expression of gratitude to the distinguished guests, participating poets, scholars, students and all those associated with the successful organisation of the event.
