Kayastha Mahasabha Meet in Patna
Patna: April 20, 2008
 Central Minister Subodhkant Sahay, while participating in the 125th National Kayastha Maha Samaj Convention in Patna on Sunday lamented the break up within the Kayastha community while praising them for playing important roles in the evolution of the Indian democracy.
Speaking at the convention held at Pataliputra Maidan, Sahay said several leaders from the Kayastha community played vital role in the Independence movement prominent among them the first President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan, Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose while supporting reservation for Kayasthas at the lower rung on the economic ladder.
"Kayashthas have always believed in bringing people of all faith together and reduce communal tension in the community. Some people, however, are trying very hard to break the Kayastha community but that is not going to happen," Sahay said.
Maha Samaj national president Kailash Narayan Sarang advocated complete end of the current reservation policies as we know it today and a new policy solely based on one's economic necessity.
Former Union Minister and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, speaking at the event, said Kayasthas were very confident of their success but fail to understand the importance of applying their constitutional right to cast their votes.
Prasad also favored reservation for Kayasthas with limited economic means while also appealing to them to help abolish the evil practice of dowry within the community.
On the occasion, several prominent members of the Kayastha Mahasabha were honored including Justice Prem Shankar Sahay, Dr. Sachchidanand, Girijanand Sinha (a direct descent of Raja Todarmal), Rajesh Narayan Sinha, noted Kathak danseuse and Padmashree recipient Shobhna Narayan, former DGP R. R. Prasad, Subodh Kant Sahay, Ravi Shankar Prasad and the mother of actor and TV anchor Shekhar Suman.
Sarang also announced the re-election of R. K. Sinha as the community's international cell president, Ravinandan Sahay as the president of the working committee, and Nirmal Srivastava as the national general secretary.
Later, the former Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad kicked off the 36th anniversary celebration of the foundation of Ashok Nagar Chitragupta Parishad at Bhartiya Nritya Kala Mandir where several local artists presented their songs and dance much to delight of a large audience.
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