The cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh hosted a grand All India Kavi Sammelan and Mushaira at Ravindra Natya Grah, organised by Prajatantra Media Foundation.
Upendrra Rai
The cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh witnessed an evening of literary richness as the prestigious All India Kavi Sammelan and Mushaira was held at Ravindra Natya Grah on Tuesday evening.
The grand literary gathering was organised by Prajatantra Media Foundation and brought together eminent poets, scholars and distinguished guests from across the country.
Among the prominent dignitaries present was Upendrra Rai, Chairman, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Express News Network.
In a defining moment of the evening, Upendrra Rai recited poetry publicly for the first time, drawing sustained applause and a rapturous response from the audience.
Addressing the gathering, Upendrra Rai reflected on the enduring influence of Goswami Tulsidas’s verse:
“कवित विवेक एक नहीं मोरे, सत्य कहूं लिख कागद कोरे”
He said the line has served as a moral compass throughout his personal and professional life.
Recalling his early years, he shared that he began his journalism career in 1997 while still in his first year of graduation.
Upendrra Rai spoke about his professional journey, including a significant phase at Sahara News Network, where he served as Group CEO and Editor-in-Chief. He also recounted his earlier roles as a reporter and his association with leading media networks such as Star Network and CNBC.
Referring to the three-year journey of Bharat Express, he described it as remarkable and noted that a committed journalist laid the foundation of the channel with collective support.
In a reflective segment, Upendrra Rai shared his first published ghazal from 1995, written after he moved from his village to Lucknow:
“क्या खोया, क्या पाया मैं बताऊं कैसे आपको?
वक्त ने कितना सताया मैं कहूं कैसे आपको?
प्यार की दहलीज पर पहला कदम रखा ही था,
उसने मुझे ऐसा गिराया मैं बताऊं कैसे आपको?
नाम जिनका होना चाहिए था पन्नों के बीच,
हाशिए पर उनको पाया, मैं बताऊं कैसे आपको?
सोचा था शिकायत जाकर करूंगा उनके पास,
पर दोनों को साथ पाया, मैं बताऊं कैसे आपको?”
He also recalled composing a poignant couplet in Dubai during a conversation with his friend Jameel Saidi, capturing the emotional bond between a father and son:
“दिल मोम सा, जुबां पत्थर सी, पुरज़ोर आदमी था,
मरने के बाद बेटा कहें, बाप मेरा शेर आदमी था।”
Sharing another philosophical reflection, he recited:
“क्या तकसीम करूं? कुछ बचा ही नहीं,
ये बहुत बाद में समझ में आया कुछ था ही नहीं.”
The evening concluded on a powerful note, with renowned poets gracing the stage and the audience rising in a standing ovation, marking the event as a memorable celebration of poetry, reflection and literary expression.
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