KLF building a unique Indian expression: Hardeep Puri

New Delhi, December 12, 2012 : .

The Kalinga Literary Festival has offered a unique experience which will improve Indian society," Hardeep Sigh Puri (Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Urban Affairs), said at the closing day of the 8th edition of KLF in Bhubaneswar.

"The pandemic gave us all a chance of reconnecting with ourselves.It is now that its time for Indians to decolonise their minds and literary achievements," he stated during the valedictory section of the literary festival.

He was able to attend via video link from Delhi.Puri stated that the three-day event was successful as it offered insights and discussions on Indias literary heritage and ways to keep it alive.

It hosted literary and creative luminaries from India as well as international reputes.Rashmi Ranjan Paida, founder director of KLF, stated, "We will organise an edition of KLF Kathmandu in Nepal starting next year." The concluding day saw 30 concurrent sessions.

They covered topics such as Atmanirbhar Bharat - Path Towards a Global Economic Power’, translation, prose poetry, Odissi Music and the discipline of poetics.Also, there was analysis of Odias autobiography and fiction writing.

There were also sessions on poetry recitation, writing workshop and musical performances.Ranjit Rae, an ex-Indian ambassador to Nepal spoke at Identifying priorities keys for Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He stated that India must act on two areas in order to be atmanirbhar.These are identifying areas where India holds a competitive advantage, and investing future technology like 3D printing.

He also remarked that the international business agreements which have been announced by the Indian government must have to meet their logical end to make a resilient India which will be the right step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.Paralympic medal winner Pramod Bhagat, during a discussion held on private and corporate funding in sports in India and its current trend, said that it was important that corporate funding in sports should not be based upon immediate returns.

"It requires a decade of effort to produce an Olympic level sportsperson.They should have a long term vision while planning an investment in this area," he added.

He also lauded the efforts of Odisha governments in this regard to promote sports in the state and listed out some notable investments in this regard such as the announcement of 89 multi-purpose stadiums across the state.The concluding day also witnessed 10 book launches including Second Innings, edited by sports journalist Ayaz Memon.

During the three-day event, a total of 30 books were launched.In the Mystic Mic programme on Sunday, a total of 20 performers showcased their talents to an enthralled audience in form poetry recitation.

sukant/pgh