BHUBANESWAR: The sixth edition of National Children Literature Festival (NCLF) organised by KIIT International School was inaugurated in the presence of Jairam Ramesh, a scholar and politician Padma Shree Ruskin Bond, a renowned Indian writer, and Nandita Das, an eminent Bollywood actress here Saturday.
The theme of this event is Literature and Society. Addressing the children, principal speaker Ramesh said, “Achyuta Samanta is the ‘Tagore’ of our times. What Tagore had done in his time by establishing Shantiniketan, Samanta did the same by establishing KISS.” Advising the children he said that they must practice writing at a very young age. One must be a voracious reader to be good writer. Children should not get their knowledge from social media. They should not copy or download from internet or Wikipedia. There is no substitute of books. Writings bring discipline in one’s heart, he added.
Chief speaker Nandita Das said, “Stories are powerful. Children should read more and more stories. It can develop their writing skill and original thought.” NCLF is by children, for children and of the children. It’s a very good platform for school students to develop their creativity in writing and storytelling, she added.
Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS said, “Such festivals instil in young minds the enthusiasm for literature. Exposure of this kind goes a long way in all round development of the students”. KIIT International school, one of the most outstanding and prestigious schools in the country, as every year has owned up to its potential. This Lit fest since the last many years has hosted popular writers, poets and artists who have contributed immensely to the field of humanities and literature in various capacities, said, Dr. Mona Lisa Bal, Chairperson, KIIT International School.
The two-day fest covers diverse areas from freedom of expression, politics, violence, environment, spirituality, stories of love, lust and relationships, travel and ethics. In an interactive session with students Nandita Das talked about her recent film Manto. Jairam Ramesh spoke on “Between Science and Environment, envisioning an India of Inclusiveness”. There was a discussion of Ruskin Bond’s recent autobiography The Lone fox dancing. Apart from these, multiple sessions on drawing comics, and understanding our relationship with nature through art were held.