Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday, 6 June 2026 inaugurated the fifth edition of Lalit Foundation's poetry conclave 'Abhivyanjana 5.0' at Namaste Corbett Resort, Dhanpur Dhamola in Tehsil Kaladhungi, Nainital district, by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The event brought together prominent Hindi poets and litterateurs from across the country to celebrate literature, creativity and social consciousness in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Context

Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami described the conclave as far more than a poetry recitation event. He said, 'ye keval ek kavi sammelan nahin' ('this is not merely a poetry conference'), calling it 'an innovative opportunity to experience ideas, emotions and creativity.' He underlined that poets are not just creators of words but thinkers, guides and inspirers of society, whose compositions hold a mirror to the times.

The Chief Minister drew a direct line between poetry and national transformation, noting that India's freedom movement gained momentum when poets and litterateurs inspired citizens to actively participate through their writings. He said the assembled poets carry voices that hold both longing and love, rebellion and patriotism, humour and devotion.

Policy Backdrop

Uttarakhand, which attained statehood in 2000, has periodically backed literary festivals and poet gatherings as part of its cultural identity agenda, leveraging the state's Himalayan literary legacy to project soft power. The government has consistently framed its support for such events within a narrative that links literature to nation-building and social reform.

CM Dhami invoked Uttarakhand's rich literary lineage, citing Sumitranandan Pant's nature-centred verse, Chandrakuwar Bartwal's poetic consciousness, Girda's people-centric compositions, Shailesh Matiyani's portrayal of Uttarakhand's folk life, Gaura Pant 'Shivani's' literary devotion, and Mohan Upreti's efforts to preserve folk culture. He said Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has always attracted literature lovers from across the country and abroad through its creative tradition.

Stakeholders and Impact

Among those present were noted Hindi poet Dr Kumar Vishwas, whose distinctive performance style has taken poetry to mass audiences; Padma Shri Ashok Chakradhar, celebrated for blending humour, satire and social concerns; and Dr Hariom Panwar, known for his rousing patriotic verse. CM Dhami praised all three by name, saying their work has taken poetry out of elite spaces and connected youth with literature.

MLA Kaladhungi Banshidhar Bhagat, BJP District President Pratap Bisht, Divisional Commissioner Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal, and SSP Dr Manjunath TC were among officials who received the Chief Minister on his arrival at IRB Belpadav, Ramnagar. The Chief Minister also felicitated poets, poetesses and litterateurs for their outstanding contributions to society and literature.

What's Next

CM Dhami called on the literary gathering to carry the 'sahitya sangam' (literary confluence) forward with fresh consciousness, new energy and what he termed a 'vikalp rahit sankalp' ('resolve without alternative'). The Lalit Foundation's Abhivyanjana series, now in its fifth edition, is expected to continue as an annual fixture on Uttarakhand's cultural calendar.

With the event held near Corbett National Park, the conclave also underscores the state government's broader effort to combine cultural programming with eco-tourism in protected-area buffer zones, a model that could inform future budget allocations for literary and cultural tourism circuits in 2026-27.