Surat, located on the banks of the ancient city of Suryapur on the banks of the Tapti (Tapi) River, is now world-renowned as Surat, the economic capital of Gujarat and one of India's most prestigious cities. During the Mahabharata era, the funeral rites of the great warrior Karna were performed on the banks of the Tapti River in Suryapur. Even today, Surat is known throughout India for its philanthropy, compassion, and adherence to righteousness. The people here actively participate in charity and righteousness and lead a gentle and dignified life. Surat is known as the Manchester of India for its textile industry and as the diamond capital of the world, where industrialists gift homes and cars to employees as Diwali presents. Surat is also recognized for its public security infrastructure, innovative cuisine, flyovers, CCTV surveillance, and cleanliness.
Located near the coastline, Surat has been a center of trade since ancient times with Europe, Africa, and other western countries. Surat traders engaged in business with distant lands such as Far East, Europe, Egypt, Persia, and others. The East India Company also began its business from Surat. The practice of issuing checks originated from Surat's hundi system, where the amount was written on a letter, and the recipient would receive the funds at a designated location in that country.
Despite being at the forefront in various fields such as history, commerce, charity, and spirituality, the people of Surat feel a lack of major literary, artistic, and cultural events. This void gave birth to the idea of the "Surat Literary Foundation".
Surat LitFest is not just an initiative but a platform and medium for the expression of the new Surat. Worship of Goddess Saraswati is as beneficial as worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Shakti.
The Surat Literary Foundation is the initiative of Surat's citizens. We are reaching out to enlightened personalities to bless our city and engage in knowledge sharing among our people. Because like wealth, education, knowledge is also essential for spiritual upliftment.
India is reclaiming its lost glory with each passing day. Since ancient times, this land has shown the way to humanity as a civilization. Despite being enslaved for more than a thousand years and being weakened economically and culturally, we have continued to thrive and remain healthy in the context of culture. Today, we are at a great turning point, where the eyes of the world are fixed on us for solutions to current crises. We have led the fight for the protection of humanity, whether it is the crisis of climate change, economic crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic. We have taken leadership on all fronts.
Twenty-five years from now, in 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of independence from colonial slavery, what should India be like? We are eager to discuss this in "India@2047".
There will be a three-day dialogue on what India should do in the next 25 years in the fields of religion, education, politics, economy, governance, foreign policy, internal security, media, film, policy-making, etc. The people of Surat are eagerly awaiting to witness and hear this three-day mega dialogue.