Patna: Vice-President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, delivered the valedictory address at the third edition of the Unmesha International Literature Festival, held in Patna, Bihar, from September 25–28, 2025. The event celebrated Bihar’s intellectual, cultural, and historical legacy, with the Vice-President highlighting its ancient universities, rich heritage, and enduring contribution to Indian democracy and diversity.
Celebrating Bihar’s Intellectual and Spiritual Legacy
Vice-President Radhakrishnan praised Bihar as a “land of Dharma, culture, and knowledge,” spotlighting its role in nurturing great spiritual traditions—Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism—and as the site of enlightenment for Gautama Buddha and the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. He lauded ancient centers of learning like Nalanda and Vikramshila, emphasizing their global importance and ongoing revival efforts aided by central and state governments with international collaboration.
Historical Heritage and Democratic Traditions
The Vice-President recalled the region’s long history as a political and intellectual powerhouse, home to empires like Magadha and Maurya, and the birthplace of democracy in Vaishali over 2,500 years ago. Drawing parallels with the Kudavolai election system of the Chola kingdom, he highlighted India’s deep-rooted traditions of democracy and self-governance.
Bihar’s Role in Shaping Modern India
Shri Radhakrishnan revisited landmark movements such as the Champaran Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Total Revolution pioneered by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, recounting his own activism in the latter as a young man. He described Bihar as a cradle of social and political change, producing national leaders including India’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Celebrating Cultural Richness and Diversity
The speech celebrated Bihar’s diverse cultural legacy, referencing Mithila paintings, Bidesia folk theatre, and the eco-centric Chhath Puja festival. He noted the state’s tradition of excellence, with many of India’s brightest minds contributing to civil services, academia, and technology.
Unmesha Festival: Fostering Literary Unity and Diversity
Describing “Unmesha” as the “awakening” of new ideas and celebration of diversity, the Vice-President called for bridging divides of language, culture, and ideology through literature. He advocated for achieving “Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat” through mutual understanding and literary exchange.
Tribute to Karur Tragedy Victims and Festival Details
A minute of silence was observed for the victims of the Karur tragedy in Tamil Nadu. The festival, organized by Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Government of Bihar, hosted more than 550 eminent participants representing over 100 languages, making it one of Asia’s largest literary gatherings. During his Patna visit, Shri Radhakrishnan also paid tribute to Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and visited religious sites accompanied by state dignitaries.
Conclusion
The Vice-President’s address encapsulated in the state’s legacy as a seat of spiritualism, scholarship, and social transformation, underscoring the role of literature in nurturing unity amidst diversity and inspiring future generations.
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Source: PIB
