Thank you for your encouragement and support. We hope that those of you who attended the event enjoyed the get-together and the talk delivered by our visitor from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ana Mauad, Prof of Visual History. For the information of those who could not attend, today's event was a great success. The turnout was was sizable and the enthusiasm of the audience was evident. Shri Pawan Bansal, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, presided over the Annual Round-Up and released a brochure showcasing all the year-long activities of the CSA.
Shri KK Sharma, Adviser, was present right through the program. His mingled with the audience and showed a genuine concern for the activities of the Akademi.
Shri Diwan Manna, Chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi, chaired the Prof Mauad's talk on "A Common Concern: the Photographs of Genevieve Naylor and Sabastiao Salgado". Hers was a powerpoint presentation that explored the connection between two celebrated photographers a generation apart from each other; she highlighted the manner in which they bonded with the region, and their compassion for the common mass of humanity. Commenting on the presentation, Manna placed the subject in the Indian context, drawing a connection with well-known names like Rahgu Rai and others.
Chairperson of the Akademi, Prof Manju Jaidka, made a powerpoint presentation, highlighting the activities of the CSA over the last one year. These have been listed, along with relevant photographs, in the brochure that was released today.
Shri Pawan Bansal released recently published books awarded Grants-in-Aid by the CSA. The award winners, namely Manoj Tiwari, Surendra Kumar, Rajendra Kumar Kanaujia, Sanjiv Suri Sahil, Sant Ram, Hema Sharma, and Renu Bahl, were felicitated by the minister and also by the adviser.
Overall, it was an an exceptionally successful event that brought together a cross-section of Chandigarh residents, the old and the young, interested in books, reading and writing. Shr Pawan Bansal appreciated the efforts of the Akademi and felt that more needs to be done on a bigger scale, bringing the people back to the precincts of the library, re-creating the romance of the printed book and the love for story-telling. He promised to extend all possible help to the CSA towards asset-building.
Unlike many dignitaries who are always pressed for time, the chief guests of today seemed relaxed and unhurried. Even after the event they mingled with the crowds, thus endearing themselves to one and all.
So, friends, thank you for being with us. And those who were not with us, we missed you, we sure did.
We have some more events in the pipeline, but let the scorching summer heat beat its retreat.
Wee will, hopefully, meet again when the clouds begin to rumble over the lower Shivaliks, when the peacocks begin to dance in the Morni Hills, and when harbingers of the long-awaited rains bring an end to more mundane woes, to water and power outages, and the rest.
Until then, Ciao, Ciao, folks! Namastey, Sat-sri-akal.
Always yours, we remain
the CSA
Pictures of todays events will soon be online. Checkout our FB and Blog and stay tuned.
