Surat Literature Festival

Initiative of Surat Literary Foundation #Suratlitfest

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

A great session to listen-Book Launch and Interaction with Shri Vikram Sood - Former Raw Chief by Senior Journalist Atul Aneja ji at Surat by Surat Literary Foundation

@Vikram_Sood @atulaneja

https://t.co/B6nlV6Zdmc

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

@Sai_swaroopa Yog Vashishtha

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

What happens when literary festivals stop thinking as individual events and start imagining themselves as an ecosystem?

This weekend, founders and curators of some of India's most vibrant literary and cultural platforms - including Pondy Lit Fest, Kalinga Lit Fest, Kathmandu Lit Fest, Chennai Lit Fest, Surat Lit Fest, Nalanda International Lit Fest, Western Ghats Lit Fest, Puri Lit Fest, Garuda Publications, BluOne Ink, Young Thinkers Forum, Subbu Books, Spiral Bound, Tamizh Kongu Samagamam, Indraprastha Cultural Forum, Amrita University, and others - have gathered for a unique Meta Retreat on the Indic Literary Ecosystem.

Over three days of Parichaya, Mantrana, and Sankalpa, participants will reflect on their journeys, deliberate on the challenges facing India's literary landscape, and envision collaborative pathways for shaping the intellectual future of the nation.

The central question before us is simple yet profound:

How do we move from organizing literary festivals to nurturing a living Indic Literary Ecosystem?

An ecosystem that connects writers, publishers, translators, scholars, readers, and cultural entrepreneurs; that bridges regional and national conversations; and that strengthens India's civilizational voice through literature, ideas, and dialogue.

#IndicLiteraryEcosystem #MetaRetreat #LiteraryFestivals #IndianLiterature #CivilizationalNarratives #Publishing #Translation #IndicStudies #CulturalEntrepreneurship #INDICA #LiteraryCulture #IdeasMatter

[Saiswaroopa Iyer @Sai_swaroopa]

A literary event or a platform is a Yajna that brings together knowledge, intellect and ideas.

Those who came together each were Yajamanas in their own right.

Parichaya
We shared our genesis and journeys and cheered each other

Mantrana
The break out groups deliberated on various key issues about differentiating, meeting challenges and finally arriving at synergies that could be explored because we recognise each other as co travellers in a journey headed towards reviving civilisational literature

Sankalpa
A shared outlook and action plan that will lead to collaboration.

Grateful to Hari ji and @IndicaOrg for placing the belief in me and empowering me to anchor this.

Grateful to teams from

@PondyLitFest
@PuriLitFest
@Srtlitfest
@YTFbhopal
@GhatsLitFest
@theverandahclub
@IPCFestival
@nalandalitlive
@VESIMLitFest
@kalingalitfest
@kathmandulitfest
@ChennaiLitFest
@GarudaPrakashan
@BluOneink
@Subbubooks
Mayuresh Didolkar @freentglty

For their commitment, active participation, ready and steady presence and togetherness

Thankful to Amma ji and @purna_vidya Ashram for the tranquil environment that enabled our discussion.

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

The 16th INDICA Meta Retreat on Indic Litarary Ecosystem brought together literary festival organisers, publishers, curators, writers, and ecosystem builders from across India to reflect on a shared question:

How do we strengthen the ecosystems that shape how India reads, remembers, imagines, and narrates itself?

Over two days of conversations, case studies, debates, and collaborative reflection, participants explored the origins of India's literary movements, the distinctiveness of their platforms, emerging challenges, opportunities for innovation, and the future of literary culture in a rapidly changing world.

More than a discussion on books and festivals, the retreat examined the deeper civilisational role of literary ecosystems in preserving memory, nurturing dialogue, and enabling societies to think together.

Grateful to all participants who contributed their insights, experiences, and vision to this continuing journey.

@Sai_swaroopa

#INDICA #MetaRetreat #IndicLiteraryEcosystem #LiteraryCulture #Publishing #IndianLiterature #CivilisationalNarratives #EcosystemBuilding

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Dr. Gopal Goswami: The Visionary Behind the Surat Literature Festival

Dr. Gopal Goswami is the founder, ideator, and promoter of the Surat Literature Festival (SLF), organized under the aegis of the Surat Literary Foundation.

With a vision to decentralize India’s intellectual and literary discourse beyond metropolitan centres, Dr. Goswami established SLF as a platform for meaningful conversations across literature, culture, and ideas.

The festival has evolved into a vibrant gathering of authors, journalists, artists, scholars, and public intellectuals, fostering dialogue rooted in Indian knowledge traditions, literary inquiry, and contemporary thought.

Dr. Goswami also participated in INDICA's MetaRetreat on Indic Literary Ecosystem organised, contributing to wider conversations on building and strengthening literary ecosystems in India.

@Srtlitfest @Sai_swaroopa

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

Surat Literary Foundation immensely grateful to @IndicaOrg @Sai_swaroopa and Hari ji for inviting Shri Gopal Goswami to the Meta retreat at Purna Vidya Ashram at Coimbatore,

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Dr. Gopal Goswami: The Visionary Behind the Surat Literature Festival

Dr. Gopal Goswami is the founder, ideator, and promoter of the Surat Literature Festival (SLF), organized under the aegis of the Surat Literary Foundation.

With a vision to decentralize India’s intellectual and literary discourse beyond metropolitan centres, Dr. Goswami established SLF as a platform for meaningful conversations across literature, culture, and ideas.

The festival has evolved into a vibrant gathering of authors, journalists, artists, scholars, and public intellectuals, fostering dialogue rooted in Indian knowledge traditions, literary inquiry, and contemporary thought.

Dr. Goswami also participated in INDICA's MetaRetreat on Indic Literary Ecosystem organised, contributing to wider conversations on building and strengthening literary ecosystems in India.

@Srtlitfest @Sai_swaroopa

[Swami Paramatmananda Saraswati @ParmatmanandJi]

Bhagavad Gītā Series: CH: 05 – Śhloka – 23 Contd..

*When #Anger Breaks Inner Clarity*

Krodha (anger) is not just one emotion among many. It disturbs the whole inner order. From Krodha comes Sammoha (#confusion), which is explained as #Aviveka (loss of discrimination) regarding Kārya (what is to be done) and Akārya (what is not to be done). The angry person does not merely feel heated. He loses proportion and stops seeing rightly. He may speak harshly even to a #Guru (teacher) or an elder. Anger can temporarily push aside #reverence, #restraint, and #judgment. In that state, the person is no longer standing in the light of #Dharma (duty - righteousness).

From Sammoha comes Smṛti-vibhrama (disturbance of memory). This is not ordinary forgetfulness. It means the living memory born of Śhāstra (#scripture) and Ācārya-upadeśa (the teacher’s instruction) does not become available when needed. One may have listened and reflected, yet in the moment of agitation, that #memory does not guide. Spiritual learning must become available under pressure. Otherwise, knowledge remains stored, not living.

From Smṛti-vibhrama comes Buddhi-nāśa (destruction of discriminative #intelligence). Buddhi (intellect) is the capacity to judge rightly. When Buddhi is damaged, the person becomes unfit for Puruṣārtha (the meaningful human goals of life). Praṇaśyati (he perishes) means the collapse of inner human possibility. Therefore, protect Buddhi, because clear Buddhi keeps life aligned with truth.

#क्रोध भीतरी स्संतुल्तता को तोड़ देता है*

क्रोध अनेक भावनाओं में से केवल एक भावना नहीं है। वह पूरे भीतरी क्रम को विचलित कर देता है। क्रोध से #सम्मोह अर्थात #भ्रम उत्पन्न होता है, जिसे कार्य और अकार्य के विषय में #अविवेक अर्थात विवेक की हानि कहा गया है। क्रोधित व्यक्ति केवल गरम नहीं होता। वह अनुपात खो देता है और सही ढंग से देखना बंद कर देता है। वह #गुरु या बड़े के प्रति भी कठोर बोल सकता है। क्रोध कुछ समय के लिए #श्रद्धा, #संयम और निर्णयशक्ति को पीछे धकेल देता है। ऐसी अवस्था में व्यक्ति धर्म के प्रकाश में स्थित नहीं रहता।

#सम्मोह से स्मृतिविभ्रम अर्थात स्मृति का विचलन उत्पन्न होता है। यह सामान्य भूलना नहीं है। इसका अर्थ है कि शास्त्र और आचार्य के उपदेश से उत्पन्न जीवंत #स्मृति आवश्यकता के समय उपलब्ध नहीं होती। व्यक्ति ने श्रवण और मनन किया हो सकता है, फिर भी उद्वेग के क्षण में वह स्मृति मार्गदर्शन नहीं करती। #आध्यात्मिक शिक्षा दबाव के समय भीतर उपलब्ध होनी चाहिए। अन्यथा ज्ञान केवल संग्रहित रहता है, जीवंत नहीं बनता।

स्मृतिविभ्रम से बुद्धिनाश अर्थात विवेकपूर्ण निर्णयशक्ति का नाश होता है। बुद्धि सही निर्णय करने की क्षमता है। जब बुद्धि क्षतिग्रस्त हो जाती है,
तब व्यक्ति #पुरुषार्थ अर्थात जीवन के अर्थपूर्ण मानवीय लक्ष्यों के लिए अयोग्य हो जाता है। प्रणश्यति अर्थात वह नष्ट हो जाता है, इसका अर्थ है भीतरी मानवीय संभावना का पतन। इसलिए #बुद्धि की रक्षा करो, क्योंकि स्पष्ट बुद्धि जीवन को सत्य के साथ जोड़े रखती है। @AcharyaSabha @AvdheshanandG @alok_bhatt @SureshChavhanke @ShriAdiShankara @EkatmaDham @Kailashkher @MSwamiSGVP @DivineLife @DharmicBharat @Theholisticpsyc @davidfrawleyved @Jaisrigurudev @DrChinmayP @ArshaVidhya @krishnasmessage @GitaManishi @ShefVaidya @anirbangaguly @Bhagawad_Gita #कर्मयोग #साधना
#संन्यास #विविदिषा_संन्यास #विद्वत्संन्यास #श्रवण #मनन #निदिध्यासन #अहंकार #आत्मज्ञान #भगवद्गीता #वेदांत #मोक्ष #श्रोत्रियगुरु #ब्रह्मनिष्ठगुरु #अद्वैत_वेदांत
#स्वाध्याय #आत्मसुख #पूर्णता

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

@MNageswarRaoIPS Please read Vishuddh Manusmriti by Prof Surendra Kumar, former VC of Gurukul Kangdi for understanding the insertion and deletion in Manusmriti, the research is scientifically done.

[Prof. Shamika Ravi @ShamikaRavi]

Next time someone blames Indja for market concentration, show them this 👇

[Harinder S Sikka @sikka_harinder]

“Absolutely Amazing”
Must listen to our rich history which was cleverly brushed under the carpet by the corrupt #CONgress.

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

The emergence of Ai & Data centres has opened gateway for India.

Being a cost effective and reliable sovereign country, we are rightly placed for this boom.

Writes Gopal Goswami in @DailyGuardian1

https://t.co/bd5643R8tv

[SUDHIR @seriousfunnyguy]

How the Gulf Crisis Is Rewriting the Global Energy Order and Why India Holds the Next Ace as India becomes the world’s 3rd largest renewable energy producer at 251 GW. Read the brilliant article by my friend Gopal Goswami ji

https://t.co/s7IZx8uqeQ

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

A great session to listen-Book Launch and Interaction with Shri Vikram Sood - Former Raw Chief by Senior Journalist Atul Aneja ji at Surat by Surat Literary Foundation

@Vikram_Sood @atulaneja

https://t.co/B6nlV6Zdmc

[Sweta Srivastava @swetasamadhiya]

रॉ के चीफ श्री विक्रम सूद जी को क्या सुना आपने ??
आप इन्हें सूरत लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल के वेबसाइट पर या फिर यूट्यूब पर सुन सकते है
नीचे लिंक मौजूद है ।
अवश्य सुने 🙏

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

How the Gulf Crisis Is Rewriting the Global Energy Order and Why India Holds the Next Ace.
Write Gopal Goswami https://t.co/FRtFwSlPpc

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

We should bring back such activities & tradition to the mainstream youth for fitness & wellbeing

[Swami Paramatmananda Saraswati @ParmatmanandJi]

Bhagavad Gītā Series: CH: 05 – Śhloka – 18*

विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि ।
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ॥ ५.१८ ॥

*Seeing the One in All*

When Bhagavad Gītā verse 5.18 speaks of the Paṇḍitaḥ (#wise one) as #Samadarśhinaḥ (one of equal vision), it points to a subtle perception born of Jñāna (knowledge).One gains this vision when #Ajñāna (#ignorance) about #Ātmā (Self) has been removed.Such a person does not confine at outer form, social position, learning, conduct, species, or habit. The verse mentions a Vidyā-Vinaya-Sampanna Brāhmaṇa (a Brāhmaṇa endowed with knowledge and humility), a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater, pointing to varied forms of embodiment qualified by Guṇa (quality), Saṁskāra (impression), and Prakṛiti (nature). A Brāhmaṇa (one committed to knowledge and inner refinement) may show #Sattva (clarity and harmony,introverted ness ).While other beings may express #Rajas (restless drive), #Tamas (inertia), and different tendencies. These Gunas shape temperament and capacity.Yet a #Paṇḍitaḥ (wise one) does not take them,these as ultimate identity of such being. He sees the same non-dual #Brahman (#limitless reality) as ultimate identity of all of them. It remains #Avikriya (#unchanging), untouched by these layers.
This is Samadarśhana (vision of #oneness). It does not make all roles and functions identical. It reveals sameness at the level of #Self/essence. The teaching corrects our habit of judging life by surface polish, status, usefulness, or outward culture. One can notice differences without losing sight of #Chaitanya (#consciousness), which lends reality to all. As this vision settles, respect, humility, and gentleness become natural.

*सबमें एक को देखना*

जब भगवद्गीता के पाँचवें अध्याय के अठारहवें श्लोक में पण्डित, अर्थात् ज्ञानी पुरुष, को समदर्शी, अर्थात् समान दृष्टि वाला, कहा गया है, तब यह ज्ञान से उत्पन्न देखने की एक परिष्कृत दृष्टि की ओर संकेत करता है।जहाँ आत्मा के विषय में #अज्ञान नष्ट हो चुका है। ऐसा व्यक्ति बाहरी रूप, सामाजिक स्थान, शिक्षा, #आचरण, #जाति, जीव-प्रकार या आदत पर नहीं रुकता। श्लोक में विद्या-विनय-सम्पन्न ब्राह्मण, अर्थात् ज्ञान और विनय से युक्त ब्राह्मण; गाय, हाथी, कुत्ता और कुत्ता खाने वाले मनुष्य का उल्लेख है। यह #गुण, #संस्कार और #प्रकृति से बने भिन्न-भिन्न देह-रूपों की ओर संकेत करता है। ब्राह्मण, अर्थात् ज्ञान और आन्तरिक परिष्कार के प्रति समर्पित व्यक्ति, में #सत्त्व, अर्थात् स्पष्टता और #सामंजस्य, प्रकट हो सकता है। अन्य प्राणियों में रजस्, अर्थात् चंचल प्रवृत्ति; तमस्, अर्थात् जड़ता; और भिन्न-भिन्न प्रवृत्तियाँ प्रकट हो सकती हैं। ये #स्वभाव और क्षमता को आकार देते हैं, फिर भी पण्डित इन्हें उस जीव का अन्तिम सत्य नहीं मानता। वह उसी #अद्वितीय #ब्रह्म, अर्थात् असीम सत्य, को देखता है, जो #अविक्रिय, अर्थात् अपरिवर्तित, है और इन सभी आवरणों से अछूता है। यही #समदर्शन है। यह सभी भूमिकाओं और कार्यों को एक जैसा नहीं बना देता। यह सार के स्तर पर #एकत्व को प्रकट करता है। यह शिक्षा जीवन को केवल बाहरी चमक, पद, उपयोगिता या बाहरी संस्कार से परखने की हमारी आदत को सुधारती है। यह मन से कहती है कि भेद को देखो, पर #चैतन्य को न भूलो, जो सबको सत्ता देता है। जब यह दृष्टि स्थिर होने लगती है, तब सम्मान, विनय और कोमलता स्वाभाविक हो जाते हैं।

@AcharyaSabha @AvdheshanandG @alok_bhatt @SureshChavhanke @ShriAdiShankara @EkatmaDham @Kailashkher @MSwamiSGVP @DivineLife @DharmicBharat @Theholisticpsyc @davidfrawleyved @Jaisrigurudev @DrChinmayP @ArshaVidhya @krishnasmessage @GitaManishi @ShefVaidya @anirbangaguly @Bhagawad_Gita #कर्मयोग #साधना
#संन्यास #विविदिषा_संन्यास #विद्वत्संन्यास #श्रवण #मनन #निदिध्यासन #अहंकार #आत्मज्ञान #भगवद्गीता #वेदांत #मोक्ष #श्रोत्रियगुरु #ब्रह्मनिष्ठगुरु #अद्वैत

[Surat Literature Festival @Srtlitfest]

पूज्य स्वामी परमात्मानन्द जी के प्रयासों से मंदिरों की राज्य से मुक्ति का पथ प्रशस्त होगा।
@ParmatmanandJi 🙏

[Swami Avdheshanand @AvdheshanandG]

मंदिर-मुक्ति : धर्म, संस्कृति और न्याय की दिशा में आशाजनक संकेत !

माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय द्वारा 18 मई 2026 को Review Petition स्वीकार कर W.P.(C) No. 476/2012 सहित सम्बद्ध याचिकाओं को पुनः मूल संख्या पर बहाल करना, मंदिरों की स्वायत्तता और धार्मिक संस्थानों के धर्मसम्मत प्रबंधन की दिशा में अत्यन्त महत्त्वपूर्ण निर्णय है। न्यायालय ने इन याचिकाओं को 24 जुलाई 2026 को पुनः सुनवाई हेतु सूचीबद्ध किया है।

मंदिर भारतीय समाज की केवल उपासना-स्थली नहीं, अपितु हमारी आस्था, संस्कृति, सेवा, शिक्षा और लोककल्याण की जीवंत धुरी हैं। श्रद्धालुओं का अर्पण और देवालयों की संपदा मूलतः धर्म-संरक्षण, संस्कृति-संवर्धन, वेद-विद्या, गौसेवा, अन्नदान तथा समाजोपयोगी कार्यों के लिए ही समर्पित होती है। इसी भाव को केंद्र में रखते हुए वर्ष 2012 में “Hindu Money for Hindu Cause” के उद्देश्य से मंदिरों को सरकारी अधिग्रहण से मुक्त कराने का यह धर्मनिष्ठ प्रयास आरम्भ हुआ था।

हम माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय की न्यायनिष्ठा, संवेदनशीलता और सांस्कृतिक चेतना के प्रति गहन सम्मान व्यक्त करते हैं। साथ ही हिंदू धर्म आचार्य सभा के संयोजक-महामंत्री आदरणीय पूज्य श्री स्वामी परमात्मानंद सरस्वती जी महाराज के दीर्घकालीन पुरुषार्थ, धर्मनिष्ठ समर्पण और अदम्य संकल्प की हार्दिक सराहना करते हैं।

यह संघर्ष केवल विधिक प्रक्रिया नहीं, अपितु सनातन संस्कृति, मंदिर-स्वायत्तता और धार्मिक स्वतंत्रता की पुनः प्रतिष्ठा का महनीय अभियान है। विश्वास है कि यह सुनवाई भारतीय मंदिर-व्यवस्था के धर्मसम्मत, पारदर्शी और स्वायत्त प्रबंधन की दिशा में ऐतिहासिक अध्याय सिद्ध होगी।

Temple Freedom: A Hopeful Step for Dharma, Culture and Justice !

The Hon’ble Supreme Court’s decision dated 18 May 2026 to allow the Review Petition and restore W.P.(C) No. 476/2012, along with connected petitions, is a significant and hopeful development for temple autonomy and the dharmic management of Hindu religious institutions.

Temples are not merely places of worship; they are living centres of faith, culture, service, education and social welfare. The offerings of devotees and the resources of temples are sacredly meant for the preservation of Dharma, promotion of culture, Vedic learning, charity and noble social causes.

With this spirit, the movement for “Hindu Money for Hindu Cause” was initiated through a petition filed in 2012, seeking freedom of temples from governmental control. We respectfully acknowledge the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s sensitivity, judicial fairness and regard for India’s civilisational heritage.

We also deeply appreciate the tireless efforts, dharmic commitment and unwavering resolve of Pujya Swami Shri Paramatmanand Saraswati Ji, Convenor-General Secretary of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, who has remained devoted to this cause for many years.

This is not merely a legal proceeding; it is a sacred endeavour for the dignity, autonomy and rightful preservation of Hindu temples. We pray that this process becomes a historic step towards transparent, dharma-based and independent temple governance in Bharat.

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