ORANGE CITY LITERATURE FESTIVAL

This compelling OCLF session brought together three diverse voices to explore why spirituality is becoming essential in today’s fast-changing world. Dr Rajan Welukar, Dr Pawan Sinha and Maneeza Ahuja joined moderator Dr Abhishek N Singh for a thoughtful dialogue on preparing minds with wisdom, clarity and inner grounding.Dr Pawan Sinha emphasised spirituality as a simple yet powerful philosophy of being good and doing good. He highlighted Yog as Dharma and explained how disciplined practice builds a progressive, balanced mindset.Maneeza Ahuja offered a fresh, modern interpretation of spirituality rooted in truthfulness, karma, nitya, effort and self-reflection. Her perspective connected ancient wisdom to contemporary emotional and professional realities.Dr Rajan Welukar added scientific clarity, describing spirituality through the lens of quantum physics and everyday metaphors like salt, science and human connection. His approach showcased how logic and intuition meet within spiritual inquiry.Together, the speakers agreed that cultivating environments that nurture reflection, honesty and meaningful connection is essential for today’s generation. Their insights encouraged young minds to see spirituality not as abstraction but as a practical compass for life.#OCLF #Spirituality #Wisdom #PawanSinha #RajanWelukar #ManeezaAhuja #Mindfulness #Leadership #YouthWisdom

Author and screenwriter Akshat Gupta joined Dr Supantha Bhattacharya for a compelling OCLF conversation on how history continues to guide India’s present and future. Drawing from his bestselling works and research on ancient Indian knowledge systems, Akshat explained why history is not just a story but a signal filled with answers for the future.He spoke about cultural identity, the importance of reclaiming narratives, gender respect and the relevance of India’s classical texts in shaping national confidence. His poetry brought emotional depth to the session, making it one of the most memorable interactions of the festival.A thoughtful, powerful and inspiring dialogue on identity, heritage and the stories that shape us.#OCLF #AkshatGupta #WhenTimeRemembers #IndianHistory #TheHiddenHindu

This powerful session with spiritual guru and educationist Dr Pawan Sinha brought the hall to full capacity, as young attendees gathered to explore leadership and life management through the teachings of Shri Ram and Shri Krishna. In his signature clear and relatable style, Dr Sinha reframed spirituality as Be Good Do Good and spoke about dharma as dutifulness, discipline and integrity.He shared timeless lessons from the lives of Shri Ram and Shri Krishna, offering the youth a practical roadmap for decision-making, clarity and inner strength. The session also introduced the mantra of Train the Brain through meditation and mindful breathing, helping students understand how mental stability fuels both academic and personal growth.Dr Sinha urged young Bharat to avoid shortcuts, embrace karma as yog and build a clear Lakshya supported by an action plan. His message resonated deeply with the audience, leaving them inspired to lead with purpose, compassion and responsibility.#OCLF #DrPawanSinha #AwakeningYoungBharat #Leadership #YouthMotivation #ShriRam #ShriKrishna #LifeManagement #Meditation #Dharma

This insightful OCLF session brought together two respected voices in leadership and governance: former DGP D. Sivanandhan and leadership mentor Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai. Moderated by Dr Sanjiv Chugh, the conversation explored the intersection of Chanakya’s strategic wisdom and the lived realities of modern public administration.D. Sivanandhan shared powerful experiences from his decades in Maharashtra Police, reflecting on crime, crisis management, and the need for structural reforms in law enforcement. He spoke about the difference between strategy and action, and how true leadership demands clarity, speed, and firm decision-making under pressure.Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai connected these insights to Chanakya’s timeless frameworks, explaining how ancient thought continues to guide ethical governance, organisational discipline, and leadership behaviour in complex systems.The session blended philosophy, frontline experience, and practical leadership lessons, offering young audiences a deeper understanding of what it takes to build strong, accountable leaders for the future.#OCLF #Chanakya #Leadership #DSPillai #DSivanandhan #Governance #Strategy #PublicAdministration #YouthLeadership

This heartwarming session with children’s author and commissioning editor Bijal Vachharajani brought young readers into an immersive storytelling experience on celebrating uniqueness and recognising everyday bullying. Supported by Penguin Random House, the session encouraged children to see their individuality as a strength and to understand how small acts of exclusion can affect others.Bijal introduced her book Left Out with Paru, featuring a left-handed protagonist who feels different in everyday situations. Through expressive reading and visual illustrations, she helped young audiences understand how gentle stories can make them feel seen, understood and valued. Children connected instantly with the themes of empathy, inclusion and courage, learning that bullying is not always loud and that standing up for themselves and others begins with awareness.The session blended storytelling, discussion and interactive questioning, making it engaging and emotionally meaningful for children aged eight and above. Bijal’s warm approach and relatable narrative style created a safe and inspiring space for young minds to reflect, respond and celebrate what makes them unique.#OCLF #BijalVachharajani #ChildrensBooks #AntiBullying #DifferentIsBeautiful #PenguinRandomHouse #StorytellingSession #KidsLiterature

The session "If Animals Could Speak: Every life clucks, moos, meows and matters" featured Dr Khushboo Shah, an eye surgeon, author and spoken word artist, in a heartwarming conversation with young readers. The session encouraged children to imagine the inner world of animals and understand their emotions, fears and unspoken voices.Dr Shah introduced characters from her book that portray animals working inside a slaughterhouse, helping children reflect on empathy, pain and the realities of poultry life. She highlighted how small actions such as feeding strays, observing animal behaviour and making mindful food choices can build compassion. The storytelling format kept the young audience fully engaged, with children sharing their experiences and thoughts about pets and animals they meet in daily life.The session inspired children to see every creature as a life that feels, connects and deserves kindness.#KhushbooShah #IfAnimalsCouldSpeak #AnimalEmotions #Compassion #ChildrenStories #VeganChoices #Empathy #Readomania #OCLF #OrangeCityLiteratureFestival #NagpurEvents #LitFestIndia

The session "Veiled Voices, Unheard Truths: The Silent Battles of Women and Child Safety" featured author and journalist Nandita Puri in conversation with bureaucrat, filmmaker and author Swati Pandey. The discussion shed light on the harsh realities faced by women and children who become victims of trafficking, exploitation and loss of identity.Nandita Puri spoke about her research for the book Jennifer, which uncovers the story of a young Indian girl trafficked through an adoption racket and subjected to repeated abuse overseas. Swati Pandey shared insights from her work in Mumbai’s Kamathipura, describing the challenges women face without basic identity documents and how opening a post office branch in the area helped many begin reclaiming their financial independence.The conversation highlighted the need for empowerment through documentation, banking access, awareness and community support. Audience questions focused on practical ways to strengthen protection systems and bring vulnerable women and children into the mainstream.#SwatiPandey #NanditaPuri #WomenSafety #ChildSafety #HumanTrafficking #Kamathipura #Empowerment #Identity #OCLF #OrangeCityLiteratureFestival #NagpurEvents #LitFestIndia

This powerful panel brought together some of Nagpur’s most active voices in journalism, youth leadership and civic engagement. Drishti Sharma, Vaibhav Ganjapure, Yash Gourkhede and Shashank Gattewar came together for a bold and grounded conversation on how young citizens can transform Nagpur through informed action, responsible media use and participatory leadership. The session was moderated by Arshia Murrian.Drishti Sharma shared how simple, on-ground videos can bridge gaps between citizens and administration, while Vaibhav Ganjapure reflected on the evolving relationship between traditional journalism and social media. Yash Gourkhede discussed community development and the role of youth in shaping transparent governance. Shashank Gattewar emphasised the need to record and highlight civic issues to create real impact.The audience responded with curiosity and clarity, especially during discussions on media responsibility, youth awareness and active citizenship. The session concluded with a shared belief that Nagpur’s future lies in informed young voices who question, participate and drive change.#OCLF #NagpurNews #YouthLeadership #CivicEngagement #MediaAndYouth #DrishtiSharma #VaibhavGanjapure #YashGourkhede #ShashankGattewar

The session "Yoga for Every Life: Living with Balance, Awareness and Inner Joy" featured renowned Yoga Guru Dr Hansaji Yogendra in conversation with Dr Amina Vali. The discussion highlighted how yoga goes far beyond postures and becomes a way of living with clarity, emotional balance and conscious awareness.Dr Hansaji shared how the human mind is designed to function with calm reasoning, yet emotional turbulence often disrupts this natural state. She emphasised the importance of making time for oneself, creating moments in the day to breathe, reflect and realign. The conversation explored yoga as a science of inner management that influences how we think, act and respond to daily challenges.The session also included simple yogic practices demonstrated by an assistant from The Yoga Institute, giving the audience practical tools they could apply immediately. The atmosphere was reflective and soothing, encouraging attendees to look inward and rediscover balance in a fast-paced world.#HansajiYogendra #TheYogaInstitute #YogaForLife #InnerJoy #Mindfulness #Wellbeing #BalanceAndAwareness #RupaPublications #OCLF #OrangeCityLiteratureFestival #NagpurEvents #LitFestIndia

The session "Mythology Re-examined: Myth or Memory?" brought together Dr Pawan Sinha, Nilesh Oak and Sunita Pant Bansal for a thought-provoking conversation moderated by Prof. Supantha Bhattacharya. The discussion explored whether Indian mythological narratives are symbolic stories, historical memory or a blend of both.Dr Pawan Sinha shared perspectives on how evidence and geographical consistency often support mythological accounts. Sunita Pant Bansal emphasised that while narratives may evolve across generations, the core truths remain steady. Nilesh Oak presented astronomical insights that connect mythological events with historical timelines.Together, the speakers highlighted a powerful idea: mythology can be literature, history or scripture, but its real significance lies in how it is experienced, interpreted and felt.#Mythology #IndianMyths #MythOrMemory #PawanSinha #NileshOak #SunitaPantBansal #CulturalHistory #OCLF #OrangeCityLiteratureFestival #LitFestIndia #NagpurEvents