KARMA Foundation’s much-anticipated literary festival, Vani: The Power of Words, held at the Constitution Club of India, celebrated the transformative essence of literature and its power to inspire change. The day-long event brought together an eclectic mix of celebrated authors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons, creating a vibrant platform for dialogue, creativity, and reflection.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Bansuri Swaraj, Hon. Member of Parliament, Shri Kapil Khanna, President Vishwa Hindu Parishad Delhi and a host of luminaries, including Padma Shri Shovana Narayan, renowned Kathak exponent, Vinay Choudhary, Founder & Chairperson of Taurus Group and Dhwani Jain, Founder of Karma Foundation.
Highlights of the event included:
- Panel Discussions: Experts delved into themes like “From Page to Action: How Literature Fuels Advocacy”, “Young Voices, Big Impact”, and “Writing in the Digital Age: Blogging, Vlogging, and Social Media Storytelling.”
The panels featured eminent speakers, including the youngest Member of Parliament Shri Pushpendra Saroj; Amb. Amarendra Khatua, a renowned poet, author, and former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Padmashri awardee and Kathak guru Mrs. Shovana Narayan; Shri Pratap Somvanshi, Managing Editor of Hindustan Hindi Daily; Shri Mukul Kumar, a poet, novelist, and civil servant; Prof. Bijayalaxmi Nanda, Principal of Miranda House and acclaimed author; Mr. Samir Kumar, Founder CliqIndia; Mrs. Malavika Joshi; Mr. Anil Pandey, Dr. Swadesh Singh, Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra, Ms. Vrinda Khanna, Dr. Amna Mirza, Mr Asim Khan, Mr Shanatnu Joshi, Ms. Gunja Kapoor. The program was beautifully conducted by RJ Mehak Ankar from Singapore.
- Book Launches: The event celebrated the unveiling of two remarkable books: India’s first children’s coffee table book inspired by the Hanuman Chalisa, authored by Mrs. Tulika Singh and presented by Ashwatha Tree Creations, and Global Electronic Commerce: Theory and Case Studies, an insightful exploration of e-commerce innovation by Dr. Yogita Sharma and Dr. Mona Sharma.
- Cultural Performances: Soul-stirring performances celebrated India’s rich artistic heritage, leaving audiences spellbound. The highlight was a mesmerizing performance by Devansh Chandra, the Autism Warrior singer and child prodigy. The event also featured Vedic chanting, captivating Kathak and Odissi dances, vibrant Rajasthani and Punjabi folk acts, and a surprise saxophone performance by the eminent orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Yash Gulati, Padma Shri and BC Roy awardee.
- Kavyamanch: A magical session where poets and storytellers took center stage, enthralling the audience with their profound and evocative words, celebrating the beauty of language and expression. Notable participants included Pankaj Singh – GST Commissioner, Prof Charu Kapoor, Nityanand Tiwari, Dildar Dehlvi, Ketki Nayak, Megha Tiwari and Dr. Amna Mirza, whose heartfelt recitations and storytelling left an indelible mark on the audience.
- Special Conversations: A thought-provoking dialogue featuring Bansuri Swaraj in conversation with Dhwani Jain and Vrinda Khanna on the role of words in governance and inclusivity.
The event also witnessed the presence of esteemed guests like Mrs. Vandana Jain, Ha Tatu, Brijesh Kuntal, Geetika Tiwari, Abhilasha Mishra, Shaifali Sangal, Dr. Manish Chaudhary, Dr. Amit Chawla, and many other reputed dignitaries.
Dhwani Jain’s Reflections:
Speaking at the event, Dhwani Jain, Founder of KARMA Foundation, emphasized the importance of literature in shaping society:
“Vani is not just a celebration of words; it’s a call to action. It reminds us that literature has the power to ignite revolutions, bridge divides, and inspire hope.”
Dhwani proposed the vote of thanks and extended heartfelt gratitude to all guests, sponsors, and attendees who made Vani: The Power of Words a monumental success.
The festival concluded with a resounding message that words, when wielded with intent and purpose, can transform the world.
