‘Saint holds power to change mindset’

Nagpur: Saints and poets have given us many life lessons, but the key lies with our inference of it and how much we inculcate it in our lives, said SV Kane, vice-chancellor of Nagpur University. “Saints and poets possess a positive aura that each one of us needs to be surrounded with. One should ask for ‘sant-sanagti’ from the almighty, for one saint can protect you from the negativity of people,” he added.
Kane was presiding over a seminar ‘Sant Sahityane Mala Kay Dile?’ organized as a part of ongoing Yashwant Mahotsav at Dhanwate Hall, Shankar Nagar on Thursday evening, where he was the chief guest. The seminar talked about how the preaching and lessons by great poets have been instrumental in shaping the mindset of the people.

Talking about Sant Tukdoji Maharaj, a close acquaintance and author Dnyaneshwar Rakshak said, “He was influential in shaping my family’s thoughts such that my father, who had a suicidal tendency, started cherishing life again with a newfound hope. That’s the power a holy person holds, they have been pioneers in positively influencing mindset of societies through generations”.

Breaking the monotony of the seminar, an Urdu poet and writer Mohommad Asahddullah spoke about the various Persian and Urdu poets who have spread humanity through their poetry. Reciting verses of Kabir and from Quran, Asahdullah said, “On one of the pillars at UNO, a Persian poetry that says ‘humanity is a higher religion than any; and if you cannot be humane to another living being, you are of no good to any religion’ is inscribed and that serves as the basis of preaching of all poets, regardless of their caste and religion,” he said.

Also present at the seminar was the former education minister Vasant Purke.

Earlier, the mahotsav was inaugurated by Suresh Dwadashiwar, editor of ‘Lokmat’, on Wednesday at Dhanwate Hall, in the presence of Dilip Walse-Patil, president of Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan, Mumbai. Talking about Chavhan’s contribution to the society Dwadashiwar said, “He had incredible political influence and used it well to uplift the poor. Despite the fame, he stuck to his humble roots and dedicated his life to the development of Maharashtra.”

Patil said, “Chavhan was a man with strong morals and an expansive knowledge and understanding of the world. His work affected all sections of the society and everyone had something to learn from him.”