Every Day Poem-20 dr. Rajendra Padhi And Toshali Literature Festival Poem by Bharati Nayak

EVERY DAY POEM-20
Dr. Rajendra Padhi And Toshali Literature Festival

Just a day
Before the Toshali Literature Festival 2026 started
At hotel Ranch Resort
Came the sad news of the death
Of Dr.Rajendra Padhi, a notable Indian English poet
He was known to me through Lit Fests inside and outside my state.
From being an acquaintance, he became like a brother.
On most literary festivals
I found him on stage as a keynote speaker
Being a great poet and Reviewer,
he had carved a niche for himself
In the Indian English Literature.
The enthusiasm to participate
In Toshali Lit Fest was subdued
By the sad news of his demise
Had he been alive
He must have attended the festival.

But the festival moved on without him
Like life moves on
In spite of the absence of she, he, you or me.
@Bharati Nayak
4th February 2026