Senior journalist Sushri Rubika Liyaquat attends Raipur Literature Festival
Raipur (thestates.news) |On the second day of the Raipur Literature Festival, the first session at the Aniruddh Neerav Mandap witnessed a lively exchange of ideas and a thoughtful discussion. Senior journalist Sushri Rubika Liyaquat, who attended as the chief guest, participated in an interactive dialogue with Shri Shashank Sharma, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Sahitya Akademi.
Speaking on nationalism, Sushri Liyaquat said, “When we return to the soil, even the earth should mourn for this land.” Drawing from her 18 years of experience in journalism, she cautioned young people against blindly trusting 30-second videos on social media, and urged them to verify facts independently. She said she does not work for any individual or ideology, but for truth and goodness, and that her commitment is to India.
Reflecting on history and social harmony, she recalled the humanitarian work of freedom fighter Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi during riots. She said the Sanatan tradition is inherently secular, and India’s identity is shaped through such understanding. Sharing a personal reference, she said her grandmother followed Sanatan traditions, offered namaz five times a day, and respected everyone, describing it as an example of India’s shared culture.
Referring to her experiences linked to the Virat Hindu Sammelan, she said she was invited to share her views on faith with sincerity. She also said she recites the kalma, her three children read the Quran, and she is raising them in a way that they do not hesitate to say “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, as their identity is rooted in being Indian.
During the question-and-answer session, responding to a journalism student aspiring to enter the profession, she described hard work, integrity, and fearlessness as the keys to success. On questions related to religion and nationalism, she said any scripture or thought should be understood through a Guru, its context must be known, and one should not draw conclusions under others’ influence, as a single statement can carry multiple meanings. On the subject of nationalism, she said clearly, “I will always choose India and nationalism.”
At the end of the programme, she released two books, including ‘Chhattisgarh Ke Sahitya Purodha’, published by the Public Relations Department, and ‘Amma Ki Chai’, a poetry collection by Pooja Agrawal. A large number of youth, literature enthusiasts, and people associated with journalism attended the session.
