Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh LitFest 2025 begins with high-energy debates, book launches, cultural performances; View Pics
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, November 23, 2025: The 13th edition of CLF Literati 2025 (Chandigarh LitFest) opened on Saturday with enriching literary sessions, insightful conversations, and multiple book launches, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most anticipated cultural festivals.
Organized by the Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS), the festival began with a welcome by Dr. Sumita Misra, Festival Director & Chairperson (CLS), followed by an opening address from Sh. Madhav Kaushik, President, Rashtriya Sahitya Akademi.
Dr Misra said that what began as a modest gathering of book enthusiasts has now grown into a celebrated literary movement. Speaking about this year’s theme, “World Within Words,” she emphasized how every word holds “a universe of meaning, emotion and history,” opening doors to new worlds and perspectives.
The day kicked off with ‘The Power of a Story: Advertising Insights’, featuring noted ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar in conversation with writer Aradhika Sharma.
In the session ‘Indian Democracy: Evolving Polity and Public Discourse’, journalist Ramesh Vinayak moderated a discussion with former MP and memoirist Shahid Siddiqui, political writer Rasheed Kidwai, and senior journalist Neerja Chowdhury.
The panel ‘Bangladesh: The Story of an Unfinished Revolution’ brought together author Deep Halder—who also launched his new book ‘Inshallah Bangladesh’—and researcher Rami Desai, in conversation with senior journalist Kartikey Sharma.
Three major books were launched under the ‘Book Buzz’ segment:
- ‘The Silent Brave’ by Mehak Grover
- ‘The Legend of Sanjhi-Giri’ by Manju Jaidka
- ‘Inshallah Bangladesh’ by Deep Halder
Hindi and Punjabi literature took center stage with sessions such as:
- ‘Shabd Ki Sugandh: Hindi Sahitya Ka Naya Daur’, featuring Madhav Kaushik, Chandra Trikha, and Chandra Shekhar Verma
- ‘Dil De Kaagaz Utte: Navi Leher De Kalamkaar’, featuring Bubbu Tir and Abhishek Dhiman
- ‘Chandigarh: The City That Is, and That Wasn’t’, exploring the city’s evolving identity with Vibhor Mohan, Rajnish Wattas, and Rajiv Lochan
In a deeply engaging session titled ‘She Writes, She Leads: Statecraft & Stanza’, Dr Sumita Misra spoke to journalist Manraj Grewal about balancing her roles as a senior IAS officer, poet, and cultural champion. She highlighted her work on land record digitisation in Haryana, noting that while technology bridges many gaps, a shift from “process to outcome” remains essential. Writing poetry, she added, is her personal retreat and creative joy.
Another captivating conversation unfolded in ‘Untamed Silences: The Many Lives of Sandhya Mridul’, with actress-poet Sandhya Mridul in discussion with writer Sonia Chauhan.
Evening Cultural Showcase
The evening concluded with ‘Swarit Mudrayen’, a graceful Bharatnatyam performance presented by CLS in collaboration with Nritya Praangan, Bhavan Dancing Courtyard, featuring disciples of Dr Sucheta Bhide-Chapekar at Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Sector 27.
Power-Packed Finale on November 23
The final day of the festival promises high-impact sessions, including the much-awaited ‘Bihar Diaries and Ground Zero: Real Heroes, Real Stories’ featuring IPS officer Amit Lodha, whose bestselling works inspired a popular OTT series. The festival will also conclude with the prestigious CLF Literati Awards 2025.