Shri Kadakampally Surendran, Hon’ble Minister for Devaswom and Tourism
Shri M.P. Veerendra Kumar, Member of Parliament and Managing Director, Mathrubhumi,
Shri N.S. Madhavan, noted Writer,
Shri P.V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi,
Shri Unni Balakrishnan, Chief of News, Mathrubhumi,
Shri Sabin Iqbal, Director, Mathrubhumi Festival of Letters
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
I am very happy to address you at the valedictory function of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters, which has evolved as the largest Literary Festival in South India.
Let me at the outset, congratulate the management of Mathrubhumi on their initiative in organizing this literary venture, which set the stage for the convergence of over 300 international and national writers, speakers and performers. This event has certainly enhanced Kerala's reputation as a land that responds positively to the literary and cultural movements of the world.
In Kerala, the role played by the print media in the social movements even before the 20th century, is well known. The print medium had encouraged more people to become literate and even helped in giving a definite shape to the alphabets and quickened the standardization of our language. Among the newspapers that emerged in the last century, Mathrubhumi has earned a special place by encouraging the growth of Malayalam literature and by strengthening the Struggle for Independence. Therefore, Mathrubhumi's role in building the Kerala society that we see today is truly significant.
I would see this International Festival of Letters as a continuation of the encouragement accorded by Mathrubhumi to the growth of Malayalam literature. Initially it was through periodicals and books. Undoubtedly, majority of our writers of today would acknowledge the support and encouragement they received from this publishing house in their earlier days. Writers as well as readers have always regarded publication of a work in Mathrubhumi daily or Weekly as a benchmark of quality in the literary sphere. Today, through this International Festival of Letters, Mathrubhumi has offered global exposure to Malayalam literature, its writers, their thoughts and ideas.
I am happy that this year's International Festival of Letters was a celebration of letters as well as ideas which are of contemporary relevance. The discussions which involved vibrant intellectuals from all the five continents, was also an encouragement for our aspiring writers and performers. That it gave our young writers and performers a unique opportunity to interact with universal figures in their respective fields, is truly laudable. One can definitely see this event as the greatest global exposure offered to our writers and artists.
As a person who was observing the news about this event, I was impressed by the galaxy of noted writers and thinkers who enriched this festival through their presence. The presence of Ms. Germaine Greer, Australian-born writer and one of the most influential feminists and social critics and Mr. Hassan Blasim of Iraq, who is considered the greatest living writer of Arabic fiction and many others, was certainly a new experience for Kerala. Like last year, the writers, noted journalists and artists from our country, like Dr. Sashi Tharoor MP, Shri N.Ram, world renowned dancer Smt. Padma Subrahmanyam and many others had made their presence felt in this event.
Interactions with people of such high profile certainly inspires our young writers, at a time when serious doubts are raised about whether the habit of reading has suffered a setback in our society. This exposure to writers and literatures of various nations can also help in the widening of the influence of Malayalam literature. We also must ensure better global exposure to our works through translations into other languages of the world.
As this event has been held by a newspaper group, I feel that a word or two about the present day journalism will not be out of place. Every responsible medium has to give priority to information that is useful to citizens. The Media can set the agenda and suggest what to think, but certainly cannot insist on how to think, for it is the readers' freedom. Sensationalism may help to sell a publication, which is nowadays called a 'product', to be sold. But the motto for journalism should never be : 'I sensationalize, therefore I sell', because every medium has to be not just a message, but a social message.
I say this because going after sensational news brings very little benefit to our people. I feel the State's efforts for rebuilding itself would succeed only if we ensure adequate space and importance for development and social issues. Newspapers like Mathrubhumi which have been highlighting our rebuilding dreams, could easily set a trend in such matters, since it has already achieved success in promoting literature and agriculture.
I greet all the writers, speakers and performers who have attended this Festival of Letters and wish them all the best. The Festival Directors, Shri P.I. Rajeev and Shri Sabin Iqbal also deserve appreciation for their service as curators of this Festival. I also compliment the organizers for conducting this Festival and this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Thank You
Jai Hind
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