Sonamura, May 26: Tripura Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman on Tuesday said that the contributions of rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam to literature and culture continue to remain relevant even today.

Addressing a programme organised at the Sonamura Town Hall in Tripura's Sepahijala district on the occasion of Nazrul’s birth anniversary, the minister described the legendary poet as not only a poet, playwright, musician, philosopher and novelist, but also a freedom fighter who inspired people to join the struggle for independence irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

“He was a symbol of consciousness, awakening and revolution for us,” the minister said while inaugurating the programme, which was organised by the School Education Department with the support of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department.

Barman said, Kazi Nazrul was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century whose impact and significance extended across India as well as Bangladesh. He noted that the poet had strongly protested against injustice and also played a pioneering role in promoting love, humanity, peace and communal harmony.

The minister further observed that in the present digital age, distancing oneself from literature would deprive people of the light of education and culture. “Literature not only educates people but also makes them humane,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of preserving India’s cultural heritage, Barman said the soul of India lies in its culture. He stressed the need to protect and expand cultural activities in order to move the country forward and called for greater promotion of literary practices alongside technology in schools, colleges and universities across the state.

Among others, additional District Magistrate of Sepahijala district Subhash Dutta, District Education Officer Mohammad Selim and social worker Uttam Das also addressed the programme.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Sonamura Raju Deb, Deputy Director of the District Information and Cultural Affairs Office Panchali Debbarma and social worker Shubhrajit Das were also present on the occasion.

Artists from different organisations of the subdivision presented colourful cultural performances during the programme.