by Arun Pathak
Bokaro: Poetry, conscience and social harmony took centre stage at the Bokaro Steel Library on Thursday evening as Bokaro Steel Plant, in collaboration with Akhil Bharatiya Chetna Darpan, hosted a vibrant literary poetry symposium (Kavi Gosthi) featuring the city’s leading writers and poets.
General Manager (Purchases) Neerja Shatdal graced the event as chief guest, while GM (PR & Administration) Chaudhary Ratnesh Kumar Sudhanshu, senior litterateur and Vihangam Yoga exponent Sukhnandan Singh ‘Sadaya’, and veteran poet Jagannath Shahi were present as special guests. The gathering witnessed a rich flow of verses blending emotion, social awareness and cultural pride.
Reciting her own poem, Neerja Shatdal said literature energises the inner self and plays a vital role in shaping society positively. Sudhanshu called upon Bokaro-based writers to actively engage in such forums to encourage young talent and keep the city’s literary spirit alive.
Sukhnandan Singh ‘Sadaya’ recited “Jharkhand Abhinandan,” describing literature as a powerful link between creators and society. The session, presided over by Jagannath Shahi and anchored by Dr Narendra Kumar Rai, featured poetic presentations on themes of memory, family, identity, nationalism and social responsibility by several poets.
The evening’s most applauded moment came when poet Arun Pathak recited a Hindi poem celebrating Bihar’s pride, followed by a Maithili composition carrying a strong message of unity—“humanity should never be divided on the basis of caste or religion.”
In his presidential address, Jagannath Shahi urged writers to cultivate discipline, deep reading and linguistic depth, remarking that true poetry emerges from study and reflection, not haste. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Love Kumar, with a large gathering of writers, officials and literature lovers in attendance.
