DyCM opens Kavi Kumbh, says poetry mirrors society

Lucknow: A three-day poets' convention, Kavi Kumbh, organised by UP culture department and Hindi Sahitya Akademi, began at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. The convention was inaugurated by deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak, on Thursday. Pathak said poetry was a mirror reflecting reality of the society. He said UP govt always stood by the poets. "Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a poet too," he added.The convention is being attended by over 450 poets from across the country rendering poems on patriotism, nationalism, religion and respect for women. The event has been organised as part of activities being held to mark the Maha Kumbh scheduled next year. While the convention will start from 10 am daily, a kavi sammelan was highlight of Thursday and Friday. To be conducted 9.30pm onwards, the event is open and free for public. More than 100 poets recited poetry on day one. They included Santosh Anand, Ashish Anal, Shashikant Yadav, Manju Dixit, Ankit Sharma and Praveen Shukla.Prominent poets taking part include Hari Om Pawar, Kumar Vishwas, Shailesh Lodha, Kavita Tiwari, Ashok Chakradhar, Praveen Shukla and Ashish Anal. Poet and coordinator of the programme Saurabh Suman Jain and principal secretary, culture and tourism, Mukesh Meshram, were also present.