Parul University hosted the 3rd Vadodara Literature Festival with 50+ renowned authors, vibrant sessions, book launches, and cultural events, drawing 15,000+ attendees in a grand celebration of literature and creativity.
Parul University concluded its grand 3-day Literature Festival with resounding success, bringing together literary enthusiasts, celebrated authors, and cultural icons from across the nation. Held in association with the youth-led organization I.I.M.U.N. (India’s international Movement to Unite Nations), the festival offered an enriching platform for the exchange of ideas, storytelling, and cultural dialogue from across the country and the globe.
The Vadodara Literature Festival 3.0 featured a diverse array of events, including panel discussions, book launches, poetry recitals, storytelling sessions, and workshops. The event celebrated the power of literature as a medium to connect communities, preserve heritage, and inspire positive change. The festival opened with an electrifying inaugural ceremony, graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Her Excellence Shrimati Radhikaraje Gaikwad, who inaugurated the festival, the veteran actress and folk singer Ila Arun, and the best-selling mystery/thriller author Jeffrey Archer, who graced the festival virtually. The keynote addresses by Ila Arun and Shrimati Radhikaraje Gaikwad set the tone for the event, emphasizing the transformative power of literature. Shrimati Radhikaraje Gaikward during her address, reflecting on such literature festivals and the importance of reading said, “The power of the pen is incredibly impactful.” Iconic actress and Rajasthani Folk Singer Ila Arun addressed the enthusiastic audience and during her interaction she gave a stunning piece of advice to the Gen-Z crow saying, “Be cool. Don’t stress. And do not grow old before your age.” She encouraged the audience to, “Read autobiographies. Read fiction. Listen to people. And never hesitate to participate actively in anything.” Ila Arun launched her book “Pardey Ke Peechay” at the Vadodara Literature Festival 3.0 with her co-author and editor, Anjula Bedi joining her on the stage. Panels on contemporary Indian and regional writing and discussions on the digitalization of literature captivated audiences on the first day.
The first day focused on regional literature and its significance in preserving cultural identity. Padma Shri Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, a celebrated writer, headlined a special session, shedding light on India's linguistic diversity and the importance of preserving regional languages. “With so many dialects and languages, it’s through language that we truly understand one another and effectively express ourselves,” he remarked, inspiring attendees to value their linguistic heritage.
Workshops on creative writing and storytelling techniques were conducted by leading authors, offering participants valuable insights into the craft of writing. The day also featured vibrant poetry slams and cultural performances, showcasing the fusion of literature and art.
The second day celebrated young authors and emerging voices, with a special panel discussing the role of literature in driving social change. The festival hosted an exclusive session with Prajakta Koli, a renowned social media personality and actress who shared her journey and vision for a more inclusive literary landscape and launched her book, ‘Too Good To Be True’. She said, “As long as you know what you like doing, the possibilities are endless.” The much-anticipated book launches, featuring works by both established and upcoming authors, were met with great enthusiasm. The festival also featured a vibrant and engaging flea market, a glimpse into the regional culture through folk music and performances, a book fair showcasing local and global publications, and a “Meet the Author” zone where attendees could interact directly with their favorite writers and get signed copies of their published works.
The second day saw various intellectually stimulating conversations with authors and experts on different panels such as Entrepreneurship, Women Empowerment, Law, Regional Literature, Agriculture, Public Policy, Economics and Finance, Culinary Arts, New Technology & Advancements, Architecture Design, English Literature, Journalism, Armed Forces, Health Sciences, and standalone sessions with Former President of Paralympic Committee of India Deepa Malik, Prajakta Koli, Ila Arun, and Jeffrey Archer. Eminent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and authors such as Novoneel Chakraborty, Preeti Shenoy, Siddharth Maniyar, Ravi Ila Bhatt, Vishawajit Parekh, Dinesh C. Sharma, Dr. Kalpana Sarkar, Arjun Mohan, Rohin Bhatt, Chander M. Lall, Tarun Chhabra, Ar. Apurva Bose Dutta, Mrinalini Ghadiok, Tanya Khanna, Dr. Suptendu Biswas, Nandita Iyer, Padma Shri Sunita Kohli, Romy Gill, Sahar Mansoor, Shehla Rashid, Joshiba Dev, Anish Behl, Priyaranjan Kumar, Dr. Chandrasekhar Sripada, Dr. Vishal Gabale, Manish Taneja, Dr. Devashish Palkar, Dr. Renu Mahtani, Jaideep Hardikar, Kalpana Manivannan, Neha Sinha, Rubin Banerjee, Dr. Ramaswami Balasubramaniam, Rasheed Kidwai, Retd. Indian Army Veteran Sunil Prem, Capt. Pratap Mehta, Col. Ashutosh Kale, Preetha Rajah Kanna, Heena Solanki, Padma Shri Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, Rochelle Potkar, Ajay Bisaria [Former Private Secretary to Former P.M Atal Bihari Vajpayee], Ruchi Ghanashyam, Sanjaya Baru, Alpana Killawala, Saurabh Bajaj, and Rohit Sarin, among others were in attendance at the VLF 3.0.
The festival saw a massive footfall of over 15,000 attendees as students, faculty, and literature enthusiasts participated in the festival. The event underscored Parul University’s commitment to fostering creativity, intellectual engagement, and cultural exchange among its community. Dr. Devanshu Patel, President of Parul University, remarked, “This Literature Festival reflects our dedication to creating a platform where diverse voices converge, ideas flourish, and the timeless beauty of literature is celebrated. We are proud to see the incredible response from students and the literary community alike.”
The 3-day Literature Festival at Parul University was more than just an event - it was a celebration of ideas, cultures, and the boundless power of the written word. By bringing together literary legends, emerging voices, and passionate readers, the festival created a vibrant space for dialogue and inspiration. As it concluded on a high note, the festival left a lasting impact on all attendees, igniting a renewed appreciation for literature and its role in shaping society. Parul University reaffirms its commitment to fostering such meaningful platforms, ensuring that the spirit of creativity and cultural exchange continues to thrive for years to come.
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