October 17-19, 2004

Our special Invitees from India
1.  Mrs. Gayatri Saraf (Orissa-India),  2.. Mr. K. Balachandran (Annamalai-Tamilnadu), 3. Mr. Janardhan Pathania ( J & K)

A Brief Report of the event :

Writers Festival-India_2004, a first of its kind in this part of India, with the theme "World Peace and Literature" drew a large number of audiences. Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal, Member Parliament from Chandigarh, who inaugurated the Festival called it a special day when such a large number of writers had gathered to undertake a task normally left to the politicians all over the world. He said that in these times of turmoil the necessity of world peace comes at the top. He appreciated the topicality of the theme and congratulated the organizers for their this kind of humanitarian gestures.

Mr. Dev Bhardwaj, well noted Punjabi Writer who was a main force behind this show earlier welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction at the fruition of the efforts which saw this day. He made an impassioned appeal for World Peace for which writers could play a decisive role.

The first session started with a paper presentation by Mr. Gurdev Chauhan, a famous Punjabi poet and critic. His paper - World Peace and Literature, highlighted the various issues concerning the pursuit of world peace. He specially stressed on all the role of media and literature in building up voice against tension and war.

Dr. Atamjit Singh, a noted Dramatist and Theatre-Director initiated the discussion which started a lively debate. In his opinion Theatre can play a significant role in spreading the message of peace among the masses. Mr. Mohan Bhandari, who presided over the inaugural function was highly hopeful that writers and literature could be instrumental in bringing unity in diversity.

Dr. (Mr.) Olelere Oliditan (Nigeria), Mrs. Jurga Ivanauskaite (Lithuania) , Dr. (Mrs.)  Janet Levalley (Sri Lanka), Mr. Bulbul Sarwar (Bangladesh),  Manmohan Singh Mohan (U. K.), Mr. Janardahn Pathania, Mrs. Gyatri Saraf and Dr. K. Balachandran also spoke on the occasion echoing the similar thoughts and voices. There was special sessio totally devoted to Print media and internet publishing. On both days poets from India & abroad presented their poetry highlighting the theme of the Festival.

On 19 Octopber 2004, the final session of the Festival was held at YMCA, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) in collaboration with Academy of Art, Language and Culture, Himachal Government.. The Director of Languages, Himachal Govertmnet Mr. Prem Sharma and Mr. Sudarshan Vashishat, Secreray of the Academy were all praise for the festival and desired that IICCA should organise more such festival and offered their all-out help for such ventures.

Highlights of the Festival in Pictures