- The festival this year with the theme ‘Literature and Human Development’ will be inaugurated by Dr Justice KJ Thaker, Honorary Chairperson of Gujarat State Human Rights Commission
- Over 100 speakers, over 60 percent of them women, from different walks of life from all over India and abroad will be participating in different panel discussions, performances, plays and poetry recitations
- Human values can be inculcated by growing the reader and writer base through engaging different communities particularly the children and young adults where activities like these festivals play an important role: Umashanker Yadav
- Students will act as moderators, speakers, performers and volunteers in this edition which is the first-of-its-kind for this festival
- Date: November 24, 25 & 26, 2023 from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
- Venue: Centre for Environment Education, Thaltej Tekra, Ahmedabad
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, NOV 21
If you thought that Ahmedabad is known for only business and industries, you have to change that perception now. Thanks to the earnest and consistent efforts of Ahmedabad International Literature Festival over its last seven editions, it has turned into City of Knowledge and Literature. Youngsters have started cultivating the habit of reading, writing and publishing rich literature books in Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu and English languages, said mentor of the festival, Dr SK Nanda, IAS (Retd) here on Monday.
This year, the 8th edition of Ahmedabad International Literature Festival will be held from Friday to Sunday – 24, 25 and 26 November 2023 at the picturesque venue, Centre for Environment Education, Thaltej Tekra, Ahmedabad. This venue is ideally located near Thaltej Metro Station, said Umashanker Yadav Founder Director, Ahmedabad International Literature Festival
The festival this year with the theme ‘Literature and Human Development’ will be inaugurated by Dr Justice KJ Thaker, Honorary Chairperson of Gujarat State Human Rights Commission with Dr SK Nanda, IAS (Retd.) author, columnist and former home secretary of Gujarat along with renowned actor and poet Akhilendra Mishra and founder director of the festival Umashanker Yadav.
Over 100 speakers, over 60 percent of them women, from different walks of life from all over India and abroad will be participating in different panel discussions, performances, plays and poetry recitations. Book launches and classical dances will also feature during the three days of literary festivities.
Prominent speakers are film actors Rajendra Gupta, Yashpal Sharma and Akhilendra Mishra. Journalists Mayank Shekhar, Dr. Shirish Kashikar, Jyoti Yadav, young lyricist Dr. Sagar and best-selling Hindi authors journalist Shirish Khare, Dr. Heera Lal, IAS and Kumud Verma will be participating in the event. Prince of erstwhile Rajpipla state, Manvendra Sinh Gohil renowned neurologist Padma Shri Dr Sudhir V Shah, literary agent and writer Preeti Gill, Prof KB Veio Pou of North East and student writers and authors from African countries and Bangladesh will also share their views on different subjects.
Mentor of the festival, Dr. SK Nanda, IAS (Retd.) while addressing the media said, “Looking at the degrading human values across the globe, we decided to explore the role of literature in the human development through this edition. Different topics like the role of creative industries and schools, mental health, feminist writings, partition literature, North East literature, world literature, Children’s literature, social projects and poetry sessions have been designed to understand and discuss the role of literature and the necessity of developing the humans into bigger human beings with wider perspectives, inclusivity, compassion and the sense of belongingness among the human race.”
To a query on inclusion of Tribal literatures in this festival, Dr Nanda said that it needs a special edition and he has been working in tandem with likeminded people.
Dr Nand added that he has been targeting the youth for the transformation of the state in particular and publishing articles on youth and health in the leading Gujarati daily Divya Bhaskar.
Quoting Vedas and ancient literatures, Dr Nanda said, “Our ancestors followed food as medicine and led a healthy lifestyle. They also paid more attention in preserving Mother Nature. I am following this religiously and advocate others to do so.”
Founder Director Umashanker Yadav emphasized on the importance of the creative industries, literature and the literary communities for value-based society. Yadav said, “Human values can be inculcated by growing the reader and writer base through engaging different communities particularly the children and young adults where activities like these festivals play an important role.”
Yadav added that due to proactive approach of his team, many schools, colleges and universities are enthusiastically participating through their principals, teachers and students as moderators, speakers, performers and volunteers in this edition which is the first-of-its-kind for this festival. Thus they will get on-hand experience and develop their skills.
Book Launches, Gujarati, Hindi / Urdu and English Poetry recitation along with plays and classical dance performances will keep the audience spell-bound throughout the three days.
