Kumar Bahukhandi
Senior journalist Rubika Liyaquat participates in Raipur Literature Festival
Raipur: J The first session of the Abhinav Nirav Mandal on the second day of the Raipur Literature Festival featured thought-provoking discussions and insightful deliberations. A captivating discussion took place between the chief guest, senior journalist Rubika Liyaquat, and the Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Sahitya Akademi, Shashank Sharma.
In her address, Rubika Liyaquat spoke on nationalism, saying, “When we are returning to the earth, may this earth itself weep.” Sharing her 18 years of experience in journalism, she cautioned young people not to blindly trust 30-second videos on social media, but to verify the facts themselves.
She clearly stated that she works not for any individual or ideology, but for truth and goodness, and her commitment is to India.
Highlighting history and social harmony, she mentioned the humanitarian work done by freedom fighter Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi during the riots. She said that the Sanatan tradition is inherently secular and Indian identity develops from that understanding. Sharing personal anecdotes, she said that her grandmother followed Sanatan traditions, offered prayers five times a day, and respected everyone; this is an example of India’s shared culture.
Referring to her experiences at the Virat Hindu Conference, she said that she was invited to express her views on religion from the heart. She also said that she herself recites the Kalma, her three children read the Quran, but she is raising her children in such a way that they do not hesitate to say Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai because their identity is rooted in being Indian.
In the question-and-answer session, in response to a question from a journalism student aspiring to become a journalist, she described hard work, integrity, and fearlessness as the keys to success. On questions related to religion and nationalism, she said that any scripture or idea should be understood from a guru, the context should be known, and one should not jump to conclusions based on someone else’s words, as the same thing can have multiple meanings.
On the question of nationalism, she clearly stated that she would always choose India and nationalism.
At the end of the program, she released two books, including “Chhattisgarh Ke Sahitya Purodha” published by the Public Relations Department and Pooja Agarwal’s poetry collection “Amma Ki Chai”. A large number of youth, literature enthusiasts, and people from the field of journalism participated in the session.
