The three-day Shoolini Literature Festival concluded on April 10 with a scintillating performance by Shafqat Amanat Ali. During the event, a galaxy of authors and an impressive line-up of speakers discussed fascinating topics such as 'Not Just Cricket: A Reporter's Journey through Modern India, Literature in the Post-Digital Era, Writing and its Discontent, Poets Whom I Have Sung’, and so on.
Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Solan, Vice Chancellor Dr PK Bansal, who was the chief guest, appreciated Shoolini University's efforts to instill the love of literature in young minds. Dr Ashoo Khosla and Prof Manju Jaidka inaugurated the event, welcoming the audience to the show.
On the first day, Indian mythologist, speaker, illustrator and author, known for his writing on Hindu sacred lore, legends, folklore, fables and parables, Devdutt Pattanaik, initiated the discussion as a panellist. The day concluded with '75 years of Autobiography of a Yogi' session, moderated by Prof Ashish Khosla. The speakers for this session were Shoolini University Chancellor Prof PK Khosla and former IAS, writer, and motivational speaker Vivek Atray.
The highlight on the second day was 'Literature in the Post-Digital Era'. Shoolini University Trustee & Head of Communications Nishtha Shukla Anand moderated the discussion with panellists Kunal Nandwani, Arjun Gupta, and Anjana Menon, who discussed the potential of complete digitisation. The audience also enjoyed the panel discussion with Aseem Chhabra, actor and critic Namrata Joshi, film critic, and Mihir Pandya called, 'Talking About Movies'.
During the 'Thrillers, Killers, and Gumshoes' session’, Mukul Deva, an Indian polymath based in Singapore, regaled all students. He is a motivational keynote speaker, executive coach, business mentor and bestselling author. The day ended on a high note with Jiya Lal Thakur and his Himachali Troupe performing songs.
On the concluding day, well-known sports journalists Pradeep Magazine and Sandeep Dwivedi delved into the ins and outs of cricket and sports journalism spread over 40 years. They came out with rare insights into the game and answered a volley of questions from the audience.
Magazine, who was the first person to raise the issue of match-fixing in the cricket world, spoke about his latest book, 'Not Just Cricket: A Reporter's Journey through Modern India'. Veteran journalist and Director, School of Journalism and New Media at Shoolini University, Vipin Pubby, moderated the session titled 'Sportifying Literature'. Indian Express Sports Editor Sandeep Dwivedi discussed the difficulties that a sportswriter encountered, ranging from being objective about the athletes they respected, to working quickly.
'Spin-the-Tale', a short storytelling competition open to the public and university students, was a big hit. Apoorva Mamgain of DAV College in Chandigarh took home the trophy. The consolation award went to Aviral Aswan of DAV College Chandigarh, Ranjit Kumar of Shoolini University, and Vidushi Gupta of Panjab University.
The final day's sessions comprised Mukesh Williams, Ed Levinson, and Jari Jetsonen's 'A Photograph Tells a Thousand Words', Howard Wolf and Christopher Helvey's 'Writing: Experience and Imagination,' and Jaishree Sethi's play 'Woh Afsaana.'
The interactive literary fiesta, packed with exciting and engaging sessions, provided the audience with ample food for thought. The event was held in the hybrid mode and organised by Shoolini University's Chitrakoot School of Liberal Arts and comprised more than 20 sessions.
Exotic flowers, handicrafts on display
Flower lovers from inside and outside the campus were thrilled to see more than 80 varieties of flowering and ornamental plants during the three-day flower festival. In addition, handicraft stalls and in-house departmental models showcased the art and culture of Himachal.
Students participated in large numbers in poetry contests, photography, and flower-arranging competitions at the festival, organised by Dean Students Welfare and the Department of Landscaping and Creativity.