Solan, April 8
The 2nd Shoolini literature festival at Shoolini University began on Friday featuring an impressive line-up of speakers, including Mr. Devdutt Pattanaik, and Mr. Allen Sealy. The festival was inaugurated by Dr. PK Bansal, Vice-Chancellor, Maharishi Markandeshwar University Solan.
Indian mythologist, speaker, illustrator and author, known for his writing on Hindu sacred lore, legends, folklore, fables and parables Mr. Devdutt Pattanaik in his session, “Mythology: 19th to 21st Century,” said that when you listen to someone, you should always examine why you’re listening to them and what value they hold. He discussed the evolution and emergence of many religions, as well as their relationship with mythology. “We make stories to understand life,”. Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts Prof. Manju Jaidka and Prof. Tej Nath Dhar moderated the session.
Nandini C Sen moderated the session “Betrayed by Hope,” which focused on the life of Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt. Malashri Lal and Namita Gokhle discussed Dutt’s maverick and pioneering stories. They also discussed the conundrum they had while writing about Michael Dutt. Students and instructors from the department of English also performed a part of the play, “Betrayed by Hope.”
Dr. Ashoo Khosla and Prof. Manju Jaidka gave opening remarks during the festival. Following that, Chief Guest Dr. PK Bansal gave a speech in which he praised Shoolini University’s efforts to instill literature in young brains. He also admired Prof. PK Khosla, saying, “We at MMU always perceive Prof. Khosla as an intellectual, and the vitality that he has even at this age is remarkable.”
“Dr. Purnima Bali moderated the session “From Nepal, the Land of Lalupate.” Sarswoti Lamichhane, Keshab Sigdel, Prakash Subedi, and Bal Bahadur Thapa were the speakers for this session. They discussed Nepali literature and presented their own poetry.
The first day ended with a session on ‘75 years of Autobiography of a Yogi’ moderated by Prof. Ashish Khosla. The speakers for this session were Prof. PK Khosla and Vivek Atray, former IAS, Writer, and motivational Speaker.
Earlier in the morning the day began with the inauguration of the flower festival organised by Dean Students Welfare Ms Poonam Nanda and the School of Food technology. A wide range of flowers were displayed and sold at the event. The Pahari miniature , painting, and Bamboo craft were also sold by Rashtriya Gramin Ajivika Mission. Students from several disciplines presented various science modules as well as selling books.
The festival, which is being held in both online and offline mode, is being organised by Shoolini University’s Chitrakut School of Liberal Arts and will be spread over three days with more than 20 sessions.
The event was broadcasted live on YouTube and other social media platforms. Aseem Chabra, Christopher Merrill, and Sharad Jagtiani among many others, will be featured in the LitFest tomorrow.