Litfest is about breaking barriers this time

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Kasauli, October 14

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today inaugurated the fifth Khushwant Singh Literature Festival emulating the theme “Breaking Barriers”.

On the opening session, Virbhadra said: “Khushwant Singh was a thorough gentleman, a journalist of repute, a litterateur, a seasoned parliamentarian and a treasure-trove of vast knowledge, besides known for his sense of humour.”

He described the noted writer as a man of varied talents who had served the Indian legal system and literature with equal passion and hard work.

“I was a regular reader of Khushwant Singh’s columns and some of his books like “Train to Pakistan”, “Delhi: A Novel”, “The Company of Women” and “Truth, Love and a Little Malice” have left an indelible impression on the minds of the readers,” averred the Chief Minister.

Earlier, he also dedicated a 9-km stretch of the nature’s track named as Khushwant Singh Trail to be developed with an outlay of Rs 18 lakh. It will run from the Kasauli bazaar to the plains of Kalka. Since Khushwant Singh often traversed on foot, the trail has been especially dedicated to his love for nature.

The Chief Minister said the festival’s theme ‘Breaking Barriers’ was dedicated to the cause of education of the girl child and the preservation of ecology and both these issues were close to the writer’s heart. He threw light on the works of the noted writer saying he had done much of his writing in Kasauli and many of his passions, such as his love for nature, Urdu poetry, concern for the education of the girl child, pride in the Indian soldier, his irreverence and humour, were nurtured in the environs of its hills.

“Khushwant Singh was specially known for his writing and Indian literature is lucky to have a writer like him,” Virbhadra said.

Started in 2012, when the iconic writer was still alive, the festival is the lone such event named after an individual and also the only literary festival held in Himachal Pradesh.

He also launched a coffee table book “Solan a Mosaic of Experiences” written by Minakshi Chaudhary and published by the District Cultural Council, Solan. He also gave away prizes to winners of various childern’s competition.

Earlier, Rahul Singh, son of the noted journalist, who is also the chairman of the festival, in his brief address, recalled his father’s love for the town and the nature saying he was committed towards the education of the girl child. Though a lot of people loved him for his honesty and frankness, he also had a fair share of critics. Despite having interest in religion, he was an agnostic, but full of humanity and compassion and he was a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa.

Former Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, Station Commander, Kasauli Cantonment, Brig Deepak Sharma and former deputy chairman, Finance Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia were among other dignitaries present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Sadhupul Bridge completed with an outlay of Rs 2.80 crore on the Kandaghat-Junga-Chail road. The old bridge had collapsed in June 2014 and was completed within a year and a half.