Shimla | May 1, 2026
On the occasion of International Labour Day, a dialogue and poetry symposium on the theme “War and Labour” was held at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. The event was organised by the Himalaya Sahitya, Sanskriti Evam Paryavaran Manch and witnessed participation from writers, intellectuals, and literary enthusiasts from across the state.
The chief guest, Soumya Sambasivan, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, emphasised that the erosion of human values is a major cause of conflicts and wars today. Highlighting the relationship between literature and labour, she said, “The pen fights its own battles, just like a worker does. Both are engaged in creation.”
Sharing a personal anecdote, she recalled an instance where a woman labourer accepted only two out of three sarees offered to her, returning the third, saying she would only be able to use two. Sambasivan described this as a powerful example of dignity, self-respect, and contentment among workers, adding that such values are deeply inspiring and deserve recognition.
Special guest and former HAS officer D.K. Manta spoke about the historical significance of Labour Day, noting that it has been observed globally since 1889 and was first celebrated in India in 1923 in Madras (now Chennai). He also elaborated on labour laws and welfare schemes aimed at protecting workers’ rights.
Prof. Inder Singh Thakur from the Central University of Himachal Pradesh praised the organising मंच for its significant contribution to literature, culture, and environmental awareness, stating that it has established a national identity while nurturing emerging writers.
Poet, critic, and educator Mamta Jayant from Delhi remarked that “war leads to destruction, while labour leads to creation,” and presented several impactful poems on the theme.
The event was anchored by noted writer and poet Deepti Saraswat. Manch president S.R. Harnot expressed gratitude to the chief guest and other dignitaries, as well as to the Language and Culture Department and the Gaiety Theatre administration for their support.
Writers from Solan, Mandi, Dharamshala, Sirmaur, and Shimla, including Dr. Roshan Lal Jinta, Anant Alok, Jagdish Kashyap, Anita Sharma, Sikandar Kumar, Kamla Bhoyel, Sneh Negi, Salil Shamshery, Kuldeep Garg Tarun, Kaushalya Thakur, Kalpa Gangta, Kishan Shreeman, Radha Singh, Pooja Sood, Lekhraj Chauhan, Vandana Rana, Jagdish Harnot, Yadav Chand, Hemlata, Bhoop Ranjan, Pradeep, Pawan Sharma, Hardev Singh Dhiman, Piyush, Jahnavi, Swapnil Suryansh, and many others were present.
