Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 11 Oct: The second edition of the two-day Literature and Arts Festival organised by The Literary Table (TLT) commenced today at Hotel Fairfield by Marriott. The Literary Table, an initiative under the Aarogya Wellbeing Trust, a charitable organisation, has partnered this year with the Oasis School. Each session on the opening day was co-moderated by students of the institution. The festival began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by TLT Founder and Festival Director Dr Aloka Niyogi, actor and former MP Moon Moon Sen, Head of Oasis School Dr Sanjeev Bathla, and Prachi Oberoi.
The day’s proceedings were compered by Manik Kaur. The first session featured nutritionist and author Roopa Soni, moderated by Siddhant Arora and Ashiya. Soni spoke about her latest book Why is the World Going Crazy about Millets, highlighting the nutritional and environmental significance of millets. She emphasised their role in promoting resilience, sustainability, and reviving lost traditional wisdom related to food.
The following session with author, scriptwriter, and podcaster Advaita Kala was moderated by Rama Chopra, Sakshe Arora, Aarit Jain, and Charvi. Best known for penning the screenplays of Anjaana Anjaani and Kahani, as well as authoring two novels and hosting her YouTube channel Sunday Club, Kala shared insights into her creative journey across multiple genres. She remarked, “I don’t necessarily subscribe to a particular way of life,” reflecting her fluid approach to storytelling.
In the next discussion, Dr Harika Rajesh Kumar, along with moderators Shivam Panwar and Harshida Singh, spoke on organic farming and agri-business start-ups. Dr Harika elaborated on her ‘Harvest on Demand’ model, stressing that with proper mentorship, agriculture can be an appealing and sustainable career option for the youth.
The final session featured author and academic Dr Ruby Gupta, who discussed her latest book ‘Love and Crime’, a gripping collection of short stories delving into the darker sides of human relationships. Moderated by Dr Aloka Niyogi and Kabir, the conversation explored her writing style, fascination with the mystery genre, and insights into human psychology.
The first day of the festival concluded with a lively book signing session, where the readers interacted with the authors and shared their appreciation for an engaging day of literature and dialogue.
