First NLUO Literary Festival
In a first of its kind at collegiate level, The First NLUO Literary Festival being held from 7th to 9th August, 2014 is an endeavour on part of National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack; to bring together minds that understand and truly appreciate the joys of reading, writing and everything else that Literature as a form of Art promises.The Festival seeks to promote the building of an open-ended platform that aims to serve the purpose of celebrating Literature in all its glory - By way of discussions on topics of varying diversity ranging from the myths and epics, life-changing ways of the novel to present day societal issues with respect to women, the woman’s identity, and present day woman-centric crimes; such discussions being spearheaded by nationally and internationally acclaimed authors, the list of eminence including Dr. Pushpesh Pant, Dr. Arshia Sattar, Ms. Vartika Nanda, Mr. Chandrahaas Choudhury among others. A three day Festival, with the intention of fostering and inculcating all that appeals to the imagination and beyond, we welcome the eager minds of enthusiasts, bibliophiles, and everybody else to come celebrate Literature! Being one of India’s foremost writers on media and woman centric issues, and being recognized for her contribution in creating awareness of women’s issues through media and Literature, Ms. Vartika Nanda would indeed be considered a speaker of utmost importance at the Festival, with her discussions assuming a pivotal role by virtue of them covering the all important aspect of the portrayal of women in contemporary society, one of such discussions being with Dr. Pushpesh Pant on ‘Objectification of Women in Media and Literature’ and the other being held in collaboration with Ms. Athena Kashyap, on ‘Crime and Punishment : Women Uninterrupted’, the focus of which would be on women empowerment with respect to societal crimes. Having actively been working with the women inmates of Tihar Jail, Ms. Nanda published the now-acclaimed ‘Tinka Tinka Tihar’, a collection of poems written by selected women inmates of Tihar Jail that by way of poetry seeks to portray the plight of the inmates.‘Thee.. Hoon.. Rahungi’, her other book of collection of poems that happens to be the first in India revolving around the crimes against women, also brings to light through art the condition and status of women in contemporary Indian society. By way of addressing issues as centrally important to contemporary Indian society as these, she undoubtedly occupies a place of immense significance in the Festival.
