Munshi Premchand will forever remain source of inspiration for people of country: PM Modi
New Delhi, July 31
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended a respectful tribute to the great storyteller Munshi Premchand on his birth anniversary, saying that he will forever remain a source of inspiration for the people of the country.
"A respectful tribute to the great storyteller Munshi Premchand on his birth anniversary. Through his timeless works, he gave powerful expression to human emotions, an expression that remains relevant to this day. He also made an invaluable contribution to bringing global recognition to the literary heritage of Kashi, the land of his birth and his life's work. His immortal literature, rooted in realism and social equality, will forever remain a source of inspiration for the people of the country," the PM said on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute, saying: "Paying tribute to the great Hindi litterateur Munshi Premchand on his birth anniversary. Renowned as the 'Emperor of Storytelling' (Katha Samrat), Premchand depicted events in his literature with such vividness that his works still feel alive today. Through his writing, he not only gave voice to the suffering, inequalities, and exploitation prevalent in society but also portrayed the sensibilities of children with remarkable simplicity and effectiveness through his children's stories."
"Even today, Premchand's literature remains an excellent source of inspiration and guidance for understanding ideal writing," he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Paying tribute to Munshi Premchand, a master craftsman of Hindi literature and the 'Emperor of Storytelling' on his birth anniversary. Through his literature, Munshi Premchand gave vivid expression to the realities of Indian society, its suffering, its struggles, and its aspirations for change. His works are not merely fiction but a powerful chronicle of the social and cultural life of his times. His timeless writings continue to inspire us today with ideals of equality, social justice, and human values."
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta also extended her tribute. "A million salutations on the birth anniversary of Munshi Premchand, a master craftsman of Hindi literature and a visionary writer. Through his writings, he gave a voice to the lives, struggles, and self-respect of those standing at the very margins of society. His works will continue to inspire social consciousness, human empathy, and a spirit of patriotism."
Munshi Premchand (1880-1936) was one of the most celebrated writers in modern Indian literature, renowned for his profound influence on Hindi and Urdu fiction. Often hailed as the "Upanyas Samrat" (Emperor of Novels), Premchand brought realism, humanism, and social consciousness to Indian writing.
His works, encompassing over 300 short stories, 14 novels, and numerous essays, delve into the lives of ordinary people peasants, workers, women, and the socially oppressed reflecting the moral and political transformations of early twentieth-century India.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who studied Premchand's works in university abroad, I'm glad to see this recognition. His ability to portray social inequality with such empathy is rare. However, I wish the tributes would focus more on his critique of systemic issues rather than just celebrating his literary style. His relevance demands we reflect on how many of those social problems persist today.
Munshi ji's stories were my gateway to understanding Indian society as a child. Reading "Idgah" still brings tears to my eyes—the innocence of Hamid sacrificing his joy for his grandmother's comfort. Teachers in every Indian school should celebrate his birth anniversary with storytelling sessions. Leaders remember him today, but we need his values in our education system throughout the year.
The tributes are well-deserved. Premchand's literary legacy transcends borders—his depiction of human struggle is universal. But let's not forget he was also a journalist and social reformer who challenged orthodoxy. The PM's tribute mentions "social equality," which is good, but we need more than lip service. Let's see concrete steps to preserve and promote Hindi literature in schools and libraries.
Premchand was truly the voice of the common man—peasants, workers, and women. His "Nirmala" and "Gaban" exposed social hypocrisy decades ago. While this tribute is nice, I wish our leaders would also discuss how we can make his works more accessible in regional languages. Many youngsters today haven't read him, which is a loss for our cultural heritage. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.