TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 14, 2024 : Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the ‘Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas’ seminar in Raipur on August 14, where he reflected on the partition of India, calling it not just a division of the country but one of the greatest tragedies in human history. The event, held at the Medical College auditorium, featured prominent speakers including ‘Rashtriya Sah Sanghthan’ General Secretary Shri Shiv Prakash and thinker and film actor Shri Mukesh Khanna.
In his address, Chief Minister Shri Sai paid homage to the millions who suffered during the partition, which led to widespread displacement, mass killings, and unspeakable violence. He emphasized that ‘Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas’ serves as a painful reminder of the deep wounds inflicted on India’s unity and integrity.
“The generation that lived through the partition experienced unimaginable pain, and this memory should not fade with time,” he stated.
Chief Minister Shri Sai highlighted the importance of national unity and integrity, warning that societies that fail to learn from historical mistakes are doomed to suffer significant losses. He urged the audience to prioritize the nation’s welfare over personal interests, stressing that the principles of equality and harmony, as embodied in India’s ethos of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” should guide the country’s future.
Reflecting on the current geopolitical landscape, Shri Sai noted that the partition’s legacy still resonates today, particularly in nations like Bangladesh. He attributed the partition to leaders who prioritized their self-interest over the nation, leading to the tragic events that followed.
During the seminar, ‘Rashtriya Sah Sanghthan’ General Secretary Shri Shiv Prakash also addressed the gathering, reminding everyone that the partition serves as a lesson to avoid repeating past mistakes. He recounted the horrors of that period, including the massacre in Calcutta, where over 10,000 people were killed in a single day. Shri Prakash pointed out that while India gained independence on August 15, 1947, the partition, which occurred just a day earlier, left millions displaced and devastated.
Shri Prakash stressed that societies and nations thrive when they learn from their errors and adjust their policies accordingly. He criticized the British for their divide-and-rule strategy, which led to the partition, resulting in immense bloodshed and lasting scars on the nation.
Thinker and actor Shri Mukesh Khanna shared personal stories from his father’s experiences during the partition, recalling the harrowing challenges faced by those who had to flee their homes. He drew parallels to the present day, warning that the lessons of history should guide the nation’s future. “We are living in a time where conspiracies have replaced ethical principles,” he remarked, urging leaders to be as strong and principled as Bhishma Pitamah from the Mahabharata.
The event also saw Raipur MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal reflecting on the painful legacy of the partition. He praised Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s decision to observe ‘Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas’ as a solemn reminder of the dark times when countless people lost their lives, homes, and loved ones due to the division of the country.
The seminar was attended by several dignitaries, including Raipur North MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Raipur Rural MLA Shri Motilal Sahu, and other local leaders, who all echoed the importance of remembering the partition as a significant chapter in India’s history.
