Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, launched the festival in presence of Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Deepika Kumari, Secretary in Department of Culture, Trishla Kundal, Special Secretary, Department of Culture, Sanjeev Rana, Additional Secretary, JKAACL and Shruti Awasthi, Director, IGNCA, Jammu.
The Principal Secretary said that the main aim of the festival is to celebrate Jammu and Kashmir's cultural diversity and literary heritage through interactive sessions, cultural performances and creative competitions. The Divisional Commissioner emphasized the significance of promoting the region's cultural legacy, fostering an atmosphere of cultural harmony and artistic expression.
The inaugural day was marked by thought-provoking author interactions, captivating mushairas, short story sessions, insightful book launches and an array of creative competitions and exhibitions. The Authors Interaction sessions, held at the Main Stall of JKAACL, provided a platform for literary dialogue and cultural exchange, featuring prominent writers from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Renowned Dogri writer Padma Shri Mohan Singh graced the event, sharing his insights and literary contributions, moderated by Ravinder Koul. Similarly, Khalid Hussain, a distinguished Punjabi writer and Dr. Adarsh Prakash, a noted Hindi writer, engaged the audience with their experiences and literary prowess, moderated by Surinder Kour Neer and Professor S.K. Mishra, respectively.
Professor Shad Ramzan, a prominent Kashmiri writer, shared reflections on Kashmiri culture and heritage, moderated by Bindiya Tickoo. The event also featured various programs such as Hindi, Gojri and Dogri Mushairas, celebrating the poetic heritage of these languages. The release of "Hindi AalochanKosh" marked a significant literary event, reflecting scholarly pursuits in Hindi language and literature.
The Authors interaction sessions exemplified the spirit of literary exchange and cultural celebration, showcasing the rich tapestry of languages and literature in the region. Furthermore, various competitions and exhibitions including poetry recitation, photography exhibition, painting competition, and rangoli provided emerging talents with a platform to showcase their creativity.
The main attraction at the event was undoubtedly the artisans from Paddar demonstrating the intricate art of spindle spinning using goat wool, along with presenting a variety of other captivating artifacts.