Dada Lakhmi Chand is the soul of Haryana and the immortal voice of our folk culture: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Rohtak, July 23, 2026: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that Surya Kavi Pandit Dada Lakhmi Chand was not merely a poet, but the soul of Haryana, a guardian of its folk culture and a teacher of the masses. Through his raginis and saangs, he propagated the values of truth, sacrifice, righteousness, dedication and humanity. Dada Lakhmi Chand did not merely entertain people but shaped generations and gave a distinct identity to Haryana's folk culture.

CM Nayab Singh Saini was addressing the Sahityakar Samman Samaroh organised on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Surya Kavi Dada Lakhmi Chand Ji at the Central Auditorium of Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak. The programme was jointly organised by the University and the Haryana Sahitya evam Sanskriti Akademi, Panchkula. Earlier, he paid floral tributes at the statue of Dada Lakhmi Chand, planted a sapling in the university campus and visited an exhibition put up by students. Thereafter, he formally inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. He also honoured litterateurs, poets and artists of different languages with various awards.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the identity of any society is not defined by its tall buildings or economic progress, but by its language, literature, culture and artists. History records events, but literature immortalises the emotions of an era. A society that respects its cultural heritage lays the strongest foundation for the future. He added that while embracing modernity is necessary, remaining connected to one's roots is even more important.

Congratulating the honoured litterateurs, poets and artists, CM Nayab Singh Saini said their writings do not merely create words but guide the consciousness of society. Their art is not only a source of entertainment but also preserves culture from one generation to another. He said honouring litterateurs is, in fact, honouring the creative consciousness of society.

The Chief Minister said the State Government is continuously working for the preservation and promotion of Haryana's language, literature, folk arts and cultural heritage. The government's objective is not only to honour artists and litterateurs but also to connect future generations with their cultural roots. With this vision, the university at Rohtak has been named after Dada Lakhmi Chand. He said this is not merely a renaming but a commitment to carry Haryana's cultural consciousness to the younger generation.

CM Nayab Singh Saini said that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's National Education Policy, the Haryana Sahitya evam Sanskriti Akademi has published university level textbooks in Hindi across various subjects, giving new momentum to higher education in the mother tongue. It is also undertaking the important task of publishing rare Hindi literary works available in the Persian script into Devanagari so that this invaluable literary heritage can reach the younger generation.

The Chief Minister said the Haryana Sahitya and Sanskriti Akademi is continuously working for the preservation of language, literature, history and culture. The Akademi building at Panchkula has emerged as a vibrant centre for literary and cultural activities, while the Sapta Sindhu Harappa Knowledge Centre at Rakhigarhi is playing a significant role in showcasing India's ancient civilisation and cultural heritage to the people.

CM Nayab Singh Saini said the government's objective is to create a cultural consciousness through which the younger generation takes pride in its language, history, traditions and the nation. He expressed confidence that Haryana would establish a new identity across the country and the world on the strength of its rich language, literature and folk culture. He honoured Vishnu Dutt Kaushik, grandson of Pandit Lakhmi Chand, with a shawl and a memento. Chetan Kaushik, great grandson of Pandit Lakhmi Chand, and university student Yogesh presented compositions of Dada Lakhmi Chand.

Haryana Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said that Pandit Lakhmi Chand had described the realities of the present era in his literary works many years ago. He had also written about Kaliyug during his own time. On the occasion, he also sang traditional Haryanvi folk songs associated with the months of Saawan and Phalgun. He said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has always encouraged litterateurs, poets and artists.

DLC SUPVA Vice Chancellor Dr. Amit Arya honoured Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini with a shawl, a memento and a portrait. He also felicitated the other dignitaries with shawls and mementoes. He said that under the Hindi and Haryanvi Bhasha Sahityakar Abhinandan Yojana, Sanskrit Bhasha Sahityakar Abhinandan Yojana, Punjabi Sahityakar Abhinandan Yojana and Urdu Sahityakar Abhinandan Yojana, litterateurs, artists and poets were honoured during the Sahityakar Samman Samaroh.

SUPVA Registrar Dr. Gunjan Malik Manocha welcomed Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the distinguished guests and the litterateurs, and highlighted the Chief Minister's life and achievements. The programme commenced with the rendition of the National Song, followed by the University Anthem, and concluded with the National Anthem.

Among those present were - senior RSS functionary Sitaram Vyas, former Minister Manish Grover, Chairman of the Haryana Sahitya and Sanskriti Akademi Prof. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, OSD to the Chief Minister Virender Badhkhalsa, along with several other distinguished personalities.