Chief Guest address by Thiru. R.N. Ravi - Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu & Grand opening of PLF 2024

Welcome to the 7th edition of Pondy Lit Fest! This year, we proudly focus on "Bharat in the New Age", guided by the inspirational phrase “Bharat Shakti” from the writings of Sri Aurobindo, whose sacred seat of sadhana resides in Pondicherry.
Our festival has always been a platform for empowering knowledge on spiritual, religious, and cultural subjects that showcase Bharat's true strength. We explore critical barriers through Lectures & Conversations, Book Talks, and presentations on Science, Technology, Defence & Security-avoiding the noise of polemics and debunked narratives.
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Website: pondylitfest.com/
In previous editions, we've had the honor of hosting luminaries such as:
K. Annamalai
Dr. Swapan Das Gupta
Bibek Debroy
Kanchan Gupta
Dr. Meenakshi Jain
Vishnu Jain
Dr. Sampadananda Mishra
Prof. R. Nagaswamy
Aravindan Neelakandan
Dr. Shamika Ravi
Sanjeev Sanyal
Dushyanth Sridhar
Sridhar Vembu
Our archives are a priceless repository of their wisdom. Join us in celebrating Bharat Shakti at this year’s Pondy Lit Fest!
📅 Stay tuned for updates and speaker announcements.
#PondyLitFest2024 #BharatShakti #SriAurobindo #BharatInTheNewAge #Spirituality #Culture #ScienceAndTechnology #DefenseAndSecurity #BookTalks
STREAMING BY: aalokh photography, chennai & kerala. # 9841057101

[@kumarchellappan7340]

I do not have words to describe this event... Elegant and Dignity have come together.

[@atharvgupta7281]

What a speech!! amazing 🙏

[@karunyass]

Amazing speech by Tamilnadu Governor..

[@sunilfauji]

Satya Sanatan Hindu Dharam ki Jai

[@venkataramansubramanian9288]

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi calls secularism a "European Concept", says 'in India, there is no need' ...
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi commented on Secularism during a public event in Kanyakumari on September 22, referring to it as a "European Concept" and saying India has no need for it. The Governor is facing backlash for the remark.
Ravi has claimed that many frauds have been committed against the people of India, and one of them is the 'wrong interpretation of secularism'.
He had said, as quoted by News 18, "What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept. In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight because between the Church and the King...How can India be away from 'Dharma'/ Secularism is a European concept and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism".
Opposition people react:
Several opposition leaders strongly condemned the Tamil Nadu Governor's comment.
Manickam Tagore, Congress MP from Virudhunagar, criticized Governor Ravi, calling the latter's comments 'unacceptable'.
Tagore took to X and wrote, "The statement of Tamil Nadu Governor on secularism is unacceptable and is against the constitution of India and against the idea of India by Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhai Patel."
"While the idea of secularism may be different in foreign countries, in India we respect all other religions, we respect all other traditions and we respect all other practices and this is the idea of secularism in India," ha added.
Nationalist Congress party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) spokesperson Clyde Crasto also pointed out that Ravi's comment was completely contrary to the principles of his position.
He took to X and wrote, "People in such honourable positions should maintain neutrality and refrain from such comments no matter their core affiliations belong."
"Secularism is an intrinsic part of the Indian constitution, not just a word. Its essence is the is the separation of power and religion, and the Supreme Court affirmed, through multiple judgements, that secularism is a basic structure of he constitution." Karat said