The 7th Bhopal Literature Festival concluded with 20 dynamic sessions featuring over 30 speakers, leaving audiences enriched with insightful discussions, book launches, and cultural showcases. The final day commenced with a visit to the Tribal Museum, offering a deep dive into the rich heritage of Central India's indigenous tribes, and ended with an award ceremony honoring literary excellence.
Renowned author Manjula Padmanabhan’s novel Taxi received the prestigious Sushila Devi Book Award, while Bhopal’s Verity Bookstore was honored with the Gyan-Prasarak Award, previously bestowed upon book houses from Indore and Jabalpur. Additionally, Dr. Seema Raizada was awarded the Smt. Vimal Kapooriya Memorial Award, marking the first time this accolade was presented at the BLF stage.
The festival also hosted the Tribal Art Fair, featuring exhibitions and workshops by Gond and Baiga artists, alongside a modern art display showcasing the works of Padma Shri awardee Bhuri Bai. A live poetry reading competition continued throughout the day, adding a creative touch to the event’s diverse literary offerings.
One of the standout sessions featured former RBI Governor D. Subbarao, who shared personal anecdotes, including his UPSC interview experience, which he humorously described as a disaster. Recounting his early career struggles and his first-ever taxi ride, he emphasized the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks. His memoir, written during the COVID-19 pandemic, encapsulates life lessons drawn from his career and decision-making experiences at the grassroots level.
Veteran journalist and author Neerja Chowdhury led a compelling discussion on leadership and governance, drawing insights from her book, which analyzes six major decisions made by six Indian Prime Ministers. The book sheds light on Indira Gandhi’s return to power in 1977, Rajiv Gandhi’s policies on caste and community, V.P. Singh’s reservation decision, Narasimha Rao’s handling of the Babri Masjid issue, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s nuclear test decision, and Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Indo-US deal. The session revealed intriguing political anecdotes, including Vajpayee’s battle with cancer during the Emergency in 1975, and highlighted how each leader's decisions shaped India’s democratic fabric.
A special session at Rangdarshini spotlighted Iconic Trees of India, authored by botanist S. Natesh. Moderated by Abhilash Khandekar, the discussion chronicled Natesh’s extensive travels across more than 20 states to document 75 remarkable trees. The book features ancient and ecologically significant trees, including two from Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district and the legendary Parijat tree of Uttar Pradesh, believed to be 5,000 years old. Natesh emphasized the need for conservation, sharing his journey of discovering trees that hold historical, cultural, and botanical importance.
A thought-provoking session titled More Art or Heart? explored the evolution of contemporary poetry. Moderated by Asma Rafat, the discussion featured poets Sanjay Jaju and Jamshed, who reflected on their poetic journeys. Jamshed’s book Syahi delves into contemporary themes through a philosophical lens, while Jaju shared his spiritual poetry, including Mujhme Ram Baste Hai Aaj, inspired by personal introspection and faith. He also spoke about the rising popularity of Haiku poetry in the digital era and advised budding poets to experiment with ghazals. The session concluded with a compelling discussion on whether poetry leans more toward structured artistry or heartfelt expression.
The final moments of the festival saw an award distribution ceremony, followed by closing remarks from Society Chairman Mr. Raghav Chadha. Expressing gratitude to participants and attendees, he officially announced the conclusion of the Bhopal Literature and Art Festival, promising to return with an even more enriching experience next year.