The inaugural edition of the Jindal Literature Festival commenced on an inspiring note at Vidya Devi Jindal School, Hisar, on November 21, 2025. The campus was beautifully adorned, reflecting the spirit of literature and creativity. The opening ceremony began with the ceremonial lamp lighting by distinguished dignitaries, including Mr. Vijay Kumar Bindlish, Mr. Vijay Bindlish, Mr. Prahlad Singh Choudhary, Ms. Nandita Thakur, celebrity writers, and festival mentors. Students presented a soulful ‘Morning Raga’, followed by an address by Principal and Festival Advisor Mrs. Naina Dhillon, who proudly announced it as Haryana’s first literature festival of such magnitude. She emphasized that the festival would rekindle imagination and a love for reading. Festival Director Mr. Amitabh Bhagal highlighted the need to revive reading habits among youth. The day witnessed diverse sessions such as From the Royal Kitchen, Nature of Poetry, Roti Kapda Vaigara, Bed of Arrows, Zindagi Se Darte Ho, and Women of Suspense. The day concluded with an elegant performance by Ms. Shinjini Kulkarni.
Day 2 began melodiously with Echoes by the school choir, followed by the launch of Dr. Tarana Husain Khan’s book The Courtesan, Her Lover and I, discussed with General IG Collinson. A compelling session on Social Media & Mental Health featured author Ms. Jyotsna and counsellor Ms. Sameena. A regional storytelling competition added vibrancy as schools showcased creative expression. Workshops like The Inner Game on NLP and sessions on The Great Cholas, Alchemy of Adaptation, Recollections of a General, The Gendered Lens, and The Fabric of India explored history, cinema, defence, identity, and societal structures. The day ended with a mesmerizing musical recital by Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pt. Salil Mohan Bhatt.
The final day celebrated intellectual depth and cultural expression. It opened with a graceful ‘Tarana’ dance performance, followed by the launch of Shisha Ghar by author Pratyaksha. An engaging dialogue on Nalanda explored India’s ancient academic legacy. Workshops on positivity, poetry, and creative expression were well received. Notable sessions included The Art of Being Seen, Life as a Soldier’s Wife, Youth Leadership, The Untold Kargil Story, Pressing Boundaries, and Umrao Jaan, featuring renowned filmmaker Muzaffar Ali. The festival concluded with a breathtaking Sufiyana performance by Vidya Shah and a heartfelt vote of thanks by Festival Director Mr. Amitabh Bhagel and Festival Advisor Mrs. Naina Dhillon, acknowledging the collective efforts that made the festival a grand success.
