Dateline Dehradun: 17th November 2024, finale of the Valley of Words (VoW) Literary Festival 2024 culminated with a grand celebration of literature, art, and culture, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most prestigious literary festivals. The event was an immersive experience featuring panel discussions, book launches, candid conversations, cultural performances, and exhibitions, drawing a diverse audience of literary enthusiasts, students, and scholars.
The day began with a houseful Musical Soiree, featuring ITC SRA artists Ashoke Mukherjee and Kalyan Majumdar performing morning ragas, setting the tone for the day.
The festival featured a series of discussions starting with a tribute session to Prof. Dhirendra Sharma, which explored the intersection of science, public policy, and public good. Moderated by Rajendra Dobhal, this session tapped into pressing issues such as artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of medicine. The discussion brought together Amjad Hussain and Dinesh C. Sharma.
Another significant session addressed the demographic implications of border migration in Uttarakhand. Curated by Kuldeep Dutta, the panel featured prominent speakers such as Ranjit Bhatia, RR Sawain, Justice SN Srivastav, and Anoop Nautiyal, who analyzed the socio-economic and security challenges posed by migration trends in border regions.
Poetry @ 90 celebrated the remarkable literary journey of Brigadier KG Behl, who shared excerpts from his rhymed works on themes like the Survey of India, Subhash Bose, and the Bhagavad Gita. The session, chaired by DS Mann and joined by scholars Ram Vinay Singh and Manoj Dhyani, highlighted the enduring power of poetry to convey historical and spiritual depth.
The Lead@VoW initiative continued to shine as students engaged in dialogues with knowledge institution’s representative Dr R Jaya N Gonda Perumal, Senior Scientist of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and Tasi Wangdi Gurung, Secretary and Khenpo Jamyang Jinpa, Principal from Sakya College with the students of The TonsBridge School and Kasiga School. These discussions provided insights into career opportunities and emphasized the importance of these institutions in fostering a progressive society.
The festival also included engaging book launches, introducing works that ranged from non-fiction to evocative fiction. Notable launches included “Aarohi” by Mukul Kumar, chaired by Someshwar Pandey and discussed by Bharti Sharma, which explored themes of resilience and transformation. “Khaki Mein Stithaprajya” by Anil Raturi, chaired by Radha Raturi and discussed by Sushil Upadhyay, offers an insightful narrative into public service.
Author Amita Thakur’s “Uff Mannoo” was discussed by Sachin Chauhan and chaired by Sushil Upadhyay. Nitin Sathe’s “The Siachen Soldier & Other Stories” was discussed by Ira Chauhan and chaired by Lt Gen (Dr) AK Singh. Shiv Kunal Verma’s “Yodha” was discussed by Lead Discussant Sana Durrani and Chaired by Monisha Datta. Author Supriya Newar’s “Justaju: Kavita, Ghazal, Nazm” was discussed by Bharti Sharma and chaired by Ram Vinay Singh.
Iti Nritya showcased cultural performances and presentations. Award-winning classical dances, including Manipuri by Ratri Manik and Kuchipudi by Sandip Kundu, enthralled the audience with their artistic depth and precision.
The VoW Awardee sessions honoured some of the finest works in literature. Notable discussions included Antim Nimbu by Uday Prakash, with lead discussant Anjum Sharma and chair LS Bajpai, and Zen by Shabnam Minwalla, led by Jyoti Dhawan and chaired by Manoj Barthwal. Truth/Untruth (Satya-Asatya) by Anjam Katyal as translator, led by Bijoya Sawaina and chaired by Satish Aikant. Vibha Batra’s The Chhau Champ highlighted writings for children, featuring Jyoti Dhawan as moderator, Ruma Malhotra as chair and Him Jyoti School’s students Khushboo Aneriya and Yogyta as lead discussants. Shabdon ke Sath Sath by Suresh Pant had LS Bajpai as lead discussant and chair Anil Raturi. Each session exemplified the festival’s commitment to celebrating literary excellence across genres and languages.
Iti Natya by Jaswant Modern Sr. Secondary School showcased outstanding theatrical performances. The dramatization, inspired by the timeless themes of Abhigyan Shakuntalam, displayed the students’ creativity and passion, delivering a stunning mainstage performance.
The Vox Populi debate curated by Dr. Amna Mirza, featured a pre-recorded compelling discussion on “Foreign Policy Should Be Realist, Not Idealist,” by MPs across political parties. A heartfelt tribute titled Jaskiran ki Yaad mein was curated by poets and friends of the late author Jaskiran Chopra who began the session reciting excerpts from her work Mera Shehar along with their verses. This session included Amandeep, Deepanjali Singh, LS Bajpai, Anjum Sharma, Mamta Kiran and Supriya Newar, chaired by Navtej Sarna and co-chaired by Ashutosh Saklani.
The session Principals and Principles brought together educational visionaries Sandhya Awasthi, Vinay Pande, and Sangeeta Kain, who shared insights on the evolving roles of educators in shaping young minds. Moderated by Kul Bhushan Kain, the session underlined the importance of values and leadership in modern education.
Shalini Rao’s Workshop on the Language of Mudras offered a deep dive into the expressive potential of classical dance. Demonstrating the art of conveying emotions through intricate hand gestures, Rao captivated participants with her expertise, enhancing their appreciation of this unique cultural tradition.
In the session For a Fit Fighting Force, military experts, including Maj. Gen. Sanjay Sharma, VADM Vinay Badhwar, AVM Deepak Gaur and Capt. Yashika Tyagi shared insights on maintaining a combat-ready defense force. Moderated by Lt. Gen. PJS Pannu, the discussion emphasized the balance between technology, human resources, and strategic foresight in national defence.
A spiritual journey unfolded during The Travels of Nanak, a session exploring Guru Nanak’s profound influence on history, spirituality, and culture. Chaired by Biju Negi, with contributions from Amandeep Singh, this discussion highlighted Guru Nanak’s teachings and their relevance in contemporary times.
The exhibitions continued to draw significant attention, particularly those showcasing Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and the products of self-help groups. These displays offered a rich blend of historical and contemporary narratives, resonating deeply with attendees.
The Valediction Ceremony served as a fitting finale to the festival. The ceremony featured the prestigious VoW Book Awards given to its 8 winning authors: Vibha Batra, Shabnam Minwalla, Smriti Ravindra, Uday Prakash, Anjum Katyal, Subhash Neerav, Dr Suresh Pant and Manoj Mitta celebrating the finest contributions in Hindi and English Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Translations. From honouring literary legends to spotlighting emerging talent, the festival successfully bridged generations, disciplines, and communities.
As the curtain fell on the 8th edition, the VoW team expressed gratitude to its sponsors, partners, and participants who contributed to making the event a resounding success. The festival promises to return next year with renewed vigour and an even richer series of literature, art, and culture.
 Literary Festival 2024 culminated with a grand celebration of literature, art, and culture){kind=link}