Sagar Watch News/ March 16: A two-day national seminar on “Lord Ram in the Folk Heart of Bundelkhand” began with academic fervor at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Government Arts and Commerce Lead College, Sagar.
Scholars and spiritual leaders unanimously highlighted that Lord Ram is not merely a mythological figure but a timeless moral ideal whose values of sacrifice, compassion, duty and righteousness remain deeply rooted in the cultural consciousness of Bundelkhand and the wider Indian society.
The inaugural session was chaired by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vinod Mishra of Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi University, with participation from eminent scholars from across India and abroad.
College principal, in her welcome address, described Lord Ram as the embodiment of both human virtue and divine consciousness. She noted that Bundelkhand’s vibrant tradition of Ramleela, folk songs, and oral narratives continues to keep the Ram narrative alive in everyday cultural life.
Delivering the presidential address, Dr. Mishra said that despite centuries of debates questioning the historical authenticity of Ram, his presence in the collective consciousness of the people has remained unwavering. He credited Hindi and Bundeli poets for immortalising Ram’s ideals through enduring literary works.
Spiritual leader Mahant Keshav Giri Ji Maharaj emphasized that devotion to parents and moral discipline among youth reflect the true essence of Ram’s teachings. He urged families to guide young generations away from addictions and harmful influences.
Renowned scholar Pandit Shyamsundar Dubey, presenting the keynote address, discussed the role of folk memory in shaping history. He explained how Valmiki’s Ramayana and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas transformed Ram into a universal cultural symbol through oral traditions and folk narratives.
In the second session, chaired by Prabhu Dayal Mishra, President of Agastya Sansthan, Bhopal, Norway-based scholar Dr. Suresh Chandra Shukla highlighted the global influence of Lord Ram, stating that his ideals transcend geographical boundaries and inspire moral values across cultures.
Several scholars and speakers also presented research papers exploring the deep integration of Ram’s ideals within Bundelkhand’s social traditions, literature, and collective memory.
Special Points
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A two-day national seminar titled “Lord Ram in the Folk Heart of Bundelkhand” was inaugurated in Sagar.
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Scholars emphasized Ram as a symbol of sacrifice, morality, and universal human values.
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Discussions highlighted Ram’s deep presence in Bundelkhand’s folk traditions, Ramleela, and oral literature.
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Norway-based scholar Dr. Suresh Chandra Shukla spoke on Ram’s global cultural influence.
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More than five books and journals have been released, including Bundelkhand Ek Drishti – Bundeli Vishwakosh, Paryavarniya Chunautiyan, Utkarsh (E-Journal), and Antyodaya News Bulletin.
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The seminar is being conducted in six academic sessions, with research papers scheduled on the second day.
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A poetry symposium dedicated to Lord Ram concluded the final session.
The seminar witnessed participation from academics, researchers, writers, and students, reflecting the continued scholarly interest in understanding the cultural and philosophical legacy of Lord Ram in Bundelkhand and beyond.
